A murder investigation has been launched after a university student was stabbed to death in Leicester city centre, police said. An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
Leicestershire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service were called shortly after 5pm on Tuesday, February 3rd to reports that a man had collapsed in Oxford Street, near De Montfort University. While officers were en route, further information indicated that the man had been stabbed.
The victim, a man in his 20s and a student at De Montfort University, was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary but died a short time later.
Police said initial inquiries suggest the victim had been “involved in an altercation with another man in the street,” who left the scene before officers arrived. According to police, the investigation led to “major disruption in the city” as forensic and search specialists examined the scene.
Detective Inspector Lorna Granville, the Senior Investigating Officer, said police are working to establish the full circumstances of what happened at the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane.
CCTV footage from the area is being reviewed and officers are speaking to potential witnesses.
Following the incident, police stepped up patrols in the area and imposed several road closures to preserve the scene, causing disruption to city centre traffic and access to the Royal Infirmary, the city’s major hospital. Drivers were advised to avoid the area and allow extra travel time.
De Montfort University Vice-Chancellor Professor Katie Normington confirmed the victim was a student, describing the death as “tragic.” She said the university is offering support to students, staff and the victim’s family, and is working closely with police during the investigation.
Local MP Liz Kendall also expressed her condolences and urged the public not to speculate while inquiries continue. In contrast, Conservative Harborough county councillor Phil King hit out at the Leicestershire Police “information vacuum” left in the aftermath of the fatal stabbing:
Obviously this is a very tragic situation, my thoughts are with family and friends and this will be deeply concerning to all residents, but why did this take Leicestershire Police approximately 18 hours to release any public information?
