Emergency services, community leaders and NHS chiefs declare a 'major incident' as they battle the coronavirus outbreak in Leicestershire

The emergency services, community leaders and NHS chiefs have declared a “major incident” as they battle the coronavirus outbreak in Leicestershire.

They acted at a crunch meeting of Leicestershire Local Resilience Forum on Tuesday March 24.

The police, local authorities, public health and NHS said they are fighting a “major incident” as the COVID-19 crisis grows.

All the public services pledged to continue to work together to support work being done to stop the spread of the virus.

Leicestershire Deputy Chief Constable Rob Nixon has taken over as chair of the forum’s Strategic Coordinating Group.

Urging people to stay at home, Mr Nixon said: “We are all one team working together across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

“All the emergency services, the NHS and the local authorities need your help to stop the spread of the virus – stay at home, save lives, protect the NHS.”