A ‘no drone zone’ has been put in place around Leicester’s Golden Mile in the run up to this year’s Diwali celebrations, amid recent tensions in the east of the city.
Anyone caught flying a drone over Cossington Park and Belgrave Road during this year’s celebrations, will be liable for prosecution or drone seizure, say Leicestershire Police ahead of this year’s celebrations, which begin on Sunday (October 9), with the Golden Mile light switch on.
The measure has been put in place as a result of recent disorder across east Leicester, largely between sections of the Muslim and Hindu communities.
Following Sunday’s light switch on, a second event will take place on Diwali day, which is Monday, October 24.
The ‘no drone zone’ will be in place from Sunday, October 9 to Monday, October 10 and from Monday, October 24 to Tuesday, October 25 between 2pm and 2am. It will stretch a one nautical mile radius over the area surrounding Golden Mile and Cossington Recreation Ground.
Leicestershire Police have assured people that there will be a visible and dedicated police presence throughout the celebrations, which represent the start of the New Year for the Hindu community.
Leicester’s Diwali celebrations are one of the biggest events outside of India, with the festival usually attracting up to 45,000 people.
This year, big crowds are expected with the organisers bringing back the aerial firework display on Diwali day (October 24) for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.
On Sunday, the lights themselves will be turned on at 7.30pm followed by the fireworks, which can be viewed from Belgrave Road.
To find out more, visit: https://www.visitleicester.info/whats-on/diwali-day-p723901
