Cllr Craig Smith

02/06/2026

🚨 Friendly reminder: You don’t have to absorb every bit of bad news today.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is switch off, get outside, and remember that most people are decent and most days are actually pretty good.

❤️ If you needed to hear this, give it a like and share it with someone who’s been doomscrolling.

02/06/2026

I'm pretty hard-line on immigration. I've spoken about the need for stronger borders, proper integration and a fair but firm system for years.

But there is a difference between addressing problems and exploiting a tragedy.

The murder of Henry Nowak should unite people in demanding justice and accountability. The footage of Henry’s death is truly awful and my thoughts are with his family and friends. It should not be used to fuel division, hatred or what Nigel Farage described as "rage".

Words matter. Political leaders should be calming tensions, seeking facts and offering solutions, not encouraging emotions that can quickly spiral out of control.

This morning on GMTV, Conservatives Leader Kemi Badenoch absolutely nailed it. She showed that you can challenge failures in policing, immigration and public policy without resorting to inflammatory language or turning a family's grief into a political campaign.

Strong leadership isn't about who can generate the most outrage.

It's about who can provide the answers.
fans

02/06/2026

🚓 Understanding Your Local Beat Teams – North West Leicestershire.

North West Leicestershire Policing area is made up of 5 neighbourhood beat teams, covered by dedicated Neighbourhood Police Officers (PCs) and PCSOs.
Alongside these teams, we also have Response Officers who attend 999 calls across the whole area.
Here’s a breakdown of your local teams 👇
________________________________________
Neighbourhood Policing Commander: Insp Steve Burge (1060)
🔵 Coalville Town Beat (NN44)
📍 Covers: Coalville town centre and surrounding estates
👮 Officers:
• Sgt Fletcher
• PC McAllister (4441)
• PC Dawson (223)
• PC Elam (77)
• PCSO Rose (6596)
• PCSO Suffolk (6387)
________________________________________
🔵 Ashby Beat (NN46)
📍 Covers: Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Packington, Ravenstone and surrounding villages
👮 Officers:
• Sgt Bell (3035)
• PC Allsopp (146)
• PC Lang (4516)
• PCSO Tipper (6443)
• PCSO Mason (6633)
________________________________________
🔵 Bardon Hill Beat (NN45) (Coalville Surrounds)
📍 Covers: Ellistown, Ibstock, Heather, Whitwick, Hugglescote and Thringstone
👮 Officers:
• Sgt Bedwell (1834)
• PC Dudley (900)
• PC Wright (1208)
• PC Willett (1058)
• PC Wolska (1550)
• PC Ure (3086)
• PCSO Mitchell (6574)
• PCSO Fowkes (6667)
• PCSO Carter-Kyd (6650)
________________________________________
🔵 Forest Beat (NN47)
📍 Covers: Measham, Moira and surrounding National Forest villages
👮 Officers:
• Sgt Fletcher (4704)
• PC Leech (1389)
• PC Jones (1234)
• PCSO Ramsey (6110)
• PCSO Fearn (6686)
________________________________________
🔵 Valley Beat (NN43)
📍 Covers: Castle Donington, Kegworth, Long Whatton, Diseworth, Breedon, Worthington, Coleorton, Swannington, Osgathorpe and surrounding villages
👮 Officers:
• Sgt Bell (3035)
• PC Martindale (70)
• PC Simpson (2238)
• PCSO Russell (6178)
• PCSO Gallagher (6517)
• PCSO Walker (6500)
________________________________________

✅ Contacting your local team
You can find contact details and upcoming beat surgeries (local drop-in sessions) on the Leicestershire Police website.
🏢 You can also visit our Front Enquiry Office, open Monday–Friday, located in the Belvoir Shopping Centre (opposite the Council enquiry office).
⚠️ Please note: Coalville Police Station is not open to the public, so please do not attend there.

PCSO 6596 Rose
Coalville Town Beat Team NN44

01/06/2026

To think
2 years ago we were so close to finally getting the Ivanhoe Line reopened 😞

01/06/2026

Same old Labour

When you vote for a Labour MP, they vote to tax hard working people to give it to those that don't work

They did promise change..... and they have succeeded by making it tougher for small businesses

01/06/2026

📈🏢 It’s Small Business Week, so it was particularly fitting to spend today at the Leicester Conservatives Business Conference listening to the people who keep our local economy moving.

It was a fantastic event, bringing together business owners, entrepreneurs and policymakers to discuss what is needed to help businesses grow, create jobs and support the regeneration of Leicester.

We heard from Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake MP, Shadow Minister for Policy Renewal Neil O’Brien MP, local MPs Alberto Costa and Shivani Raja MP, and Baroness Verma.

What struck me most was the opportunity for businesses to speak directly to policymakers about the challenges they face every day. Too often decisions are made without properly listening to those who are investing their own money, employing local people and taking the risks that drive economic growth.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create jobs, support communities and keep our high streets alive. If we want growth, higher wages and thriving town and city centres, we need to ensure that government is listening to them.

A big thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to some excellent discussions. It was encouraging to see so many local businesses engaging with the policy process and helping to shape ideas for the future.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing small businesses today?
Let me know in the comments below. 👇


Conservatives

01/06/2026

Read my latest article on Linked In about Reform UK in Leicestershire being "Penny wise and Pound foolish"

One of the first things I learned in business is that if you make something more expensive without adding more value, fewer people tend to use it. That is why I find Reform UK's proposal to increase parking charges at Leicestershire's country parks so baffling.

31/05/2026

Please sign the petition to stop this short sighted nonsense https://www.craig-smith.uk/campaigns/stop-reform-increasing-car-parking-charges

31/05/2026

🚨 STOP REFORM UK'S PARKING CHARGE HIKE 🚨

Reform UK wants to increase parking charges at Leicestershire's country parks.

At first glance it might not sound like a big deal, but let's be honest about what will happen.

People will look to avoid the charges by parking on nearby residential streets instead.

That means:�
❌ More congestion�
❌ More inconsiderate parking�
❌ More frustration for residents�
❌ Less use of our country parks

Local families are already feeling the squeeze. The answer isn't making it more expensive to enjoy the great outdoors or turning residential streets into overflow car parks.

I've launched a petition calling on the council to scrap these plans and put residents first.

🖊️ Please sign and share the petition today. Together we can force a rethink before these changes become reality.

👇 Sign the petition (In the Comments)

🚗🌳📢