Police and Crime Commissioner visits St Matthew's Estate in Leicester

Photograph L-R Sir Clive Loader, Jean Williams MBE and Insp Bill Knopp.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire, Sir Clive Loader, enjoyed a guided tour of the St Matthew’s Estate in Leicester earlier this week to enable him to meet community members and discuss local issues.

Sir Clive was invited to visit the Estate by the St Matthew’s Tenants’ Association, which was his first stop on a full schedule of meetings.  He was met by Chair Jean Williams MBE and heard about the Association’s work as an independent body run by tenants for tenants supporting the community in a wide variety of issues. 

Jean said: “We were very impressed by Sir Clive’s visit to St Matthews.  His down to earth approach was appreciated by the many agencies that he visited and he established an excellent rapport with the children of Taylor Road School whose questions he answered seriously.  He has an open invitation to call on us again.” 

The itinerary included a visit to the Contact Project, which works with children and young people on the estate. The Project aims to raise their self-belief, develop their aspirations and help them to achieve their full potential, which brings about a positive impact to themselves and the wider community. 

Next stop was the Sure Start Children’s Centre, which plays an essential part in helping to ensure that children and families on the estate get the best start in life. Sir Clive then went on to visit The What Cabin, Taylor Road School, Neighbourhood Centre Housing Office, Prince Phillip House and St Matthew’s Police contact point.

Sir Clive said: “It was a whistle-stop tour with a lot to fit in and I would like to have had more time to talk to the many local people I met, all of whom made me feel very welcome.  I was there to listen and learn, to enable me to see where I can make a difference. 

“This was not a one off visit.  I fully intend to return so that I can discover more about the different mix of communities living on St Matthew’s Estate, where it was very clear to me that a strong sense of community spirit already exists.”