Police take no further action after investigation into allegation councillor offered free ice cream to voters on polling day

The inquiry - launched in September - centred around Cllr Joseph Boam's decision to park a replica 1920s ice cream van on Silver Street in the town of Whitwick with a sign that read "free 4 real Brits".

The police investigation considered allegations of "treating" under the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Leicestershire Police have since confirmed that "no criminal offences were identified" and no further action will be taken into the matter.

A spokesperson for the police force said: "The force received a report from a third party of an ice cream van outside a polling station in May 2025.

"This was assessed as to whether this constitutes treating under electoral malpractice.

"On completion of this assessment, a police investigation took place. No criminal offences were identified and no further action will be taken."

In a video posted online on Monday (27 October), Cllr Boam said he had received a letter from Leicestershire Police confirming the force had completed the investigation.

He said: "They've chucked out the entire daft investigation claiming I allegedly bribed voters with ice cream of all things on polling day."

"It was a sham from the get-go," he claimed.

The 22-year-old councillor won the Whitwick division with 44% of the vote and took his seat on Leicestershire County Council alongside 41 other members of Reform UK, who gained overall control of the authority.

Adam Carey