SEXUAL ASSAULT MAN ARRESTED

 Police have arrested a man in connection with a sexual assault in Long Eaton. The victim was approached by a man as she was walking along Darwin Road at around 12.45am on Sunday 14th July. She was sexually assaulted before the man was disturbed by members of the public and he ran off.  On Tuesday evening (23rd July), a 21-year-old man was arrested in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on suspicion of attempted rape, and he remains in police custody. Chief Superintendent Emma Aldred said: “This incident has understandably shocked the community in Long Eaton – and I am pleased to say that we have arrested a man in connection with the incident. While enquiries continue, I would like to thank everyone who has come forward to support the investigation and provided footage. We are still keen to hear from anyone who may not have already been in touch with officers to help secure all the evidence to bring the person responsible to justice.” We remain interested in hearing from anyone who lives in the following streets to check any CCTV between 12.30am and 1.30am on Sunday 14th July: 

• Wilsthorpe Road (between Pennyfields Boulevard and Ruskin Avenue) 

• Ruskin Avenue (between Darwin Road and Wilsthorpe Road) 

• Hickling Close 

• Widdowson Road 

• Bramley Road 

• Keats Close 

• Eliot Close 

• Darwin Road 

• Bradshaw Street 

• Victoria Street 

• Mannion Crescent 

If you have any information which could help, please contact us on the details below with reference 24000416529: 

• Website – We have crime reporting tools on our website: use our online contact form 

• Facebook – send us a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page 

• X (Twitter) – direct message our contact centre via @DerPolContact 

• Phone – call us on 101  

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.  

BOOST FOR OUTDOOR EVENTS

 A Showcase venue for open-air concerts and other outdoor events in Erewash will open this autumn – as a council project to build it gets underway. Construction crews are poised to start work within days at West Park in Long Eaton. The park already boasts an “events field” which is used for carnivals and fetes – and the project will see it get a massive revamp. 

Power hook-ups are to be installed along with new lighting. Water pipes will also be laid – while improvements are being made to the car park. The aim is to encourage more community use of the two-hectare site, which is equivalent to five acres in size. The work is expected to take three months. It is being funded by the government as part of the £25million “Town Deal” that the borough council helped secure for Long Eaton. The investment has already seen West Park get new lighting, including around its perimeter walkway – where a new path will link to the events field. 

Derbyshire contractor PM Harris Ltd is undertaking the latest work – which is scheduled to see the events field reopen in October. Erewash councillor Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:  “Regeneration projects are underway across Long Eaton as the council gets maximum impact out of the £25million of investment. These enhancements at West Park will support the existing community events held there and help to encourage new ones, adding to the facilities and services available to local residents.” 

To find out more about hiring the events field – or one of the several others available from the council – click on the authority’s website here:Book Your Event (erewash.gov.uk) 

BLUE PLANET SIR DAVID PRAISES LOGAN 12

 A Boy of 12 who got a letter from the King saluting his efforts to help save the planet has received fresh praise out of the blue – this time from his idol Sir David Attenborough. Logan Smith was still reeling in surprise at Charles III’s letter when he opened another envelope in Long Eaton and found it was from the veteran broadcaster, 98. The BBC Blue Planet presenter had put pen to paper to say: “Congratulations on all you are doing to protect the natural world.” The handwritten letter added: “How wonderful it would be if everyone behaved as you do!” 

Pictured: Logan reading his letter from the Palace – plus the message from Sir David Attenborough. Credit: East Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadets Association 

Logan has a passion for the environment. He is a member of the Long Eaton Sea Cadets – where he has been learning about water pollution from plastics. He and his fellow cadets have taken part in the Earthshot challenge – an environmental campaign founded by Prince William. Logan took it upon himself to write to both the King and Sir David about the work of the cadets – including plans to clear rubbish from Attenborough Nature Reserve. The youngster did not expect any replies – so was thrilled to get letters back. His Majesty sent “warm good wishes”. The message – from the King’s Secretary – added: “It was very kind of you to share with His Majesty your enthusiasm for recycling, and he hopes that you continue to enjoy being a member of the Sea Cadets.” 

Logan – who has won a Blue Peter Green Badge – said after reading the Royal letter: “I feel happy and excited that I’ve done something to help the environment and showed what is possible.” 

The cadet, whose ambition is to serve in the Royal Navy, added: “I just want to try and keep the environment healthy and try my best to keep the planet alive.” 

Erewash Borough Council’s Mayor Cllr Kate Fennelly told how she has taught Logan in the Sea Cadets. Kate – who served in the RAF and is the council’s Armed Forces champion – said:  “He is a fantastic lad. I know he was thrilled to get the letter from the King – and for Sir David Attenborough to now write to him is the icing on the cake.”  

Stuart Williams, Chief Executive of the East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, said: “Cadet Smith is a fine role model for his peers and I believe we can all learn a thing or two from him.”