The office of High Sheriff is at least one thousand years old.  It is the oldest secular office under the Crown and dates from Saxon times.
Although many of the powers previously vested in the office have been transferred, High Sheriffs remain the Sovereign's representative in each County for all matters relating to the judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.

High Sheriffs remain in office for one year and are encouraged to undertake duties to help voluntary and statutory bodies engage in the maintenance and extension of law and order. If you would like more information about the history of the High Sheriffs role please click here to go to the Shrievalty website.

In recent years High Sheriffs in Leicestershire & Rutland and many other parts of England and Wales have been actively involving young people in the reduction and prevention of crime. In the counties of Leicestershire and 

Rutland, the High Sheriffs support LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND CRIMEBEAT, which was foundered in 1993 by the then High Sheriff, Robin Murray-Philipson OBE registered as a charity in February 2001.

Until 2005, LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND CRIMEBEAT was extremely successful in encouraging and funding young people to develop their own ideas to help combat crime and promote community safety with over 550 projects receiving its support and funding in that time.

For 10 years, Crimebeat was also involved in running Safety Squad, an annual 10-day educational event. Working in partnership with Leicestershire Constabulary and both Leicester City & Leicestershire County Councils, around 900 Year 6 pupils (aged 10/11 years) each year were taught vital safety messages at a temporary outdoor location. In 2005, Crimebeat decided to create a permanent indoor education centre where each year every Year 6 pupil has the opportunity to actively engage in experiential learning that is linked to PSHE/Citizenship, Healthy Schools Programme and the Every Child Matters outcomes.

The centre, called WARNING ZONE, opened in October 2006 and today schools from all over Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland come to WARNING ZONE throughout the academic year.

Leicestershire

Rutland

2011/12

2010/11

Colonel Robert Martin OBE DL

Mrs Sarah Forsyth

2009/10

Mr Maurice Thompson

Mrs Elizabeth Mills DL

2008/09

Mr David J. Wyrko, QPM

Mr Tommy H G Cooper, FRICS, FAAV

2007/08

Mr Barry W. Jackson

Mrs Libby Gilman

2006/07

Mr Mark R. Newton, FRICS

Mrs Miranda Hall

2005/06

Mr James G. Buxton, MA

Capt. Robert Boyle, DL

2004/05

Mrs Freda Hussain, MBE, DL

Mr Mark E Taylor, MA

2003/04

Mrs Julien M. Birchall

Mrs Mary C Lloyd MBE

2002/03

Mr Richard A. S. Everard, DL

Mr Stuart G Paton , FRICS

2001/02

Mr Michael C. C. Sandell, FRICS

Mr Michael M. Allen

2000/01

Mr R. Anthony Wessel

Lt. Col Robert N.C. Bingley

1999/00

Mrs Allison Wilson, CBE, JP, DL

Lady Goldring, JP,DL

1998/99

Mr Ian McAlpine, OBE, MA, DL

Mrs Lornie Taylor

1997/98

Mr David C. Samworth, CBE, DL

Mr Barry Owen

Leicestershire (including Rutland)

1996/97

Mr G Nicholas Corah, OBE, DL

1995/96

Mr Joe Cowen, FRICS

1994/95

Mr John M. S. Whitehead, CBE, JP, DL

1993/94

Mr Robin H. Murray-Philipson OBE, DL