An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a student was fatally stabbed in Leicester city centre near De Montfort University, Leicestershire Police said.
Police were called to the scene just after 5pm on Tuesday after it was reported that a man in his 20s - a student at the university - had collapsed on Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane.
He was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where he died a short time later.
Leicestershire Police said an 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.
The force added: “From enquiries carried out so far, it is believed the victim was involved in an altercation with another man in the street. That man left the scene prior to police arriving.”
In a statement, the university’s Professor Katie Normington said: “We are devastated to confirm the tragic death of one of our students.
“Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by what has happened. We are offering direct support to students, staff and the family of the victim.”
Key Points
- De Montfort University 'devastated to confirm' death of student
- 18-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder
- “I was just about finishing work (...) and then I heard a scream'
- Large cordon in place in the city and roads closed around campus
Police urge people with information to contact them
13:55 , Dan HaygarthSenior investigating officer Detective Inspector Lorna Granville said: “We are currently piecing together exactly what has occurred on the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane between, what is reported as, two men involved in a confrontation.
“One of the men is believed to have been stabbed and has then collapsed in the street. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he died in hospital.
“CCTV in the area is currently being reviewed and officers are speaking to potential witnesses to assist with our investigation. We know a lot of people came to the aid of the victim before emergency services arrived and we want to thank them for their help.
“If you were one of these people and you haven’t yet spoken to police, please make contact with us.
“The incident happened at 5pm, so we know the area was also busy with motorists driving along Oxford Street. If you saw anything or captured footage on dashcam as you drove past the area, we would also like to hear from you.”
Recap: Murder investigation launched after student fatally stabbed
13:40 , Dan HaygarthAn 18-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a university student was stabbed in Leicester city centre.
Police were called just after 5pm on Tuesday after a report that a man had collapsed in Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane, near De Montfort University (DMU).
While officers were en route to the scene it was reported that the man, who was in his 20s, had been stabbed, and he was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where he died a short time later, Leicestershire Police said.
DMU vice chancellor Professor Katie Normington said: “We are devastated to confirm the tragic death of one of our students.
“Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by what has happened. We are offering direct support to students, staff and the family of the victim.
“We are working with Leicestershire Police as they investigate this major incident.
“Thank you for the messages of support we have been receiving from the community of Leicester: it is a city that knows how to stand together in moments like this.”
Pictured: Police search at the campus
13:25 , Daniel Haygarth
Patients warned of disruption
13:06 , Dan HaygarthUniversity Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust warned patients with appointments on Wednesday of disruption around Leicester Royal Infirmary due to the incident.
They said in a statement on Facebook: “Due to road closures currently in place near the hospital following an overnight incident, there will be traffic disruption in the area this morning.
“Please attend your appointment and allow extra time for your journey. Follow local diversions and police instructions. If you are delayed, please contact your clinic or department where possible.”
“I was just about finishing work (...) and then I heard a scream'
13:00 , Dan HaygarthTye Crofton, 19, who works in De Montfort University’s Innovation Centre, told the PA news agency they heard a scream before seeing the man on the floor.
They said: “I was just about finishing work about five minutes to 5pm (…) and then I heard a scream.”
They said the university campus security arrived with a defibrillator before an ambulance came.
They added: “It did happen about 5pm and everyone was getting off work, so there was a bunch of people around.
“There was someone else there that had two phones up to each ear and then talking into them, and I assumed that they were already in contact with EMAS (East Midlands Ambulance Service).”
'A young man’s life has been unnecessarily cut short'
12:51 , Dan HaygarthLeicestershire police and crime commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “My thoughts are with all those affected by this horrific, and shocking, incident.
“A young man’s life has been unnecessarily cut short, and that is a tragedy.
“I know that the police are working tirelessly to bring the person, or persons, responsible to justice.
“I have been kept fully briefed by the Chief Constable, and I am aware that an 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.
“In addition, local officers will be in the area over the coming days carrying out reassurance patrols.
“I urge anyone with information that may help the enquiry to come forward, and of course, they can speak to local officers about any concerns they may have.”
De Montfort University 'devastated to confirm' death of student
12:22 , Dan HaygarthA man in his 20s who died after being stabbed in Leicester city centre on Tuesday was a student at De Montfort University, the vice chancellor has confirmed.
In a statement, Professor Katie Normington said: “We are devastated to confirm the tragic death of one of our students.
“Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by what has happened. We are offering direct support to students, staff and the family of the victim.
“We are working with Leicestershire Police as they investigate this major incident.
“Thank you for the messages of support we have been receiving from the community of Leicester: it is a city that knows how to stand together in moments like this.”
BREAKING NEWS
12:19 , Joe MiddletonThe man in his 20s who was fatally stabbed in Leicester city centre on Tuesday was a student at De Montfort University, vice-chancellor Professor Katie Normington said.
Pictured - police at the scene as murder investigation launched
12:13 , Dan Haygarth
Victim 'involved in an altercation with another man in street', police believe
11:57 , Dan HaygarthIn a statement, Leicestershire Police added: “As the investigation continues, police will be carrying out a number enquiries – including reviewing CCTV and speaking to people who were in the area at the time.
“An appeal is also being made for anyone with information or mobile phone or dash cam footage to come forward.
“From enquiries carried out so far, it is believed the victim was involved in an altercation with another man in the street. That man left the scene prior to police arriving.”
'One of the men is believed to have been stabbed and has then collapsed in the street', Detective says
11:52 , Dan HaygarthDetective Inspector Lorna Granville, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “We are currently piecing together exactly what has occurred on the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane between, what is reported, as two men involved in a confrontation.
“One of the men is believed to have been stabbed and has then collapsed in the street. Despite the best efforts of medical staff he died in hospital.
“CCTV in the area is currently being reviewed and officers are speaking to potential witnesses to assist with our investigation. We know a lot of people came to the aid of the victim before emergency services arrived and we want to thank them for their help.
“If you were one of these people and you haven’t yet spoken to police, please make contact with us.
“The incident happened at 5pm so we know the area was also busy with motorists driving along Oxford Street. If you saw anything or captured footage on dash cam as you drove past the area we would also like to hear from you.
“I appreciate the incident has caused major disruption in the city, with a number of roads closed. We are working to reduce this impact as soon as we can.
“Local officers will be in the area over the coming days carrying out reassurance patrols. If anyone has any concerns, please speak to an officer.
“If you can help in any way, call 101 and quote incident number 495 of 3 February.”
Murder investigation underway
11:46 , Dan HaygarthIn statement, Leicestershire Police said a murder investigation is underway after a man is believed to have been stabbed close to Leicester city centre.
Police were called just after 5pm on Tuesday following a report that a man had collapsed in Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane.
While officers were en-route to the scene it was reported the man – who is in his 20s – had been stabbed.
The ambulance service also attended, and the man was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary. He died a short time later.
Overnight, detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team have been working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
BREAKING NEWS
11:38 , Joe MiddletonAn 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his 20s was stabbed in Leicester city centre near De Montfort University, Leicestershire Police said.
Recap - what we know so far about Leicester incident
11:31 , Dan Haygarth
Here’s what we know so far about the incident in Leicester.
- One person has been taken to hospital following a “very serious incident” at De Montfort University in Leicester on Tuesday, East Midlands Ambulance Service said.
- Emergency services remain at the scene and several road closures are in place.
- Leicestershire Police said on X (formerly Twitter) said the incident was “not a mass stabbing”.
- We are expecting a statement from the police imminently.
Police say 'this was not a mass stabbing'
11:23 , Dan HaygarthReplying to a user on X (formerly Twitter), Leicestershire Police said: “Speculation is unhelpful, but we can confirm that this was not a mass stabbing.
“Further details will be published shortly on our website and social media channels.”
One person taken to hospital
11:16 , Daniel HaygarthA East Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson told The Independent: “East Midlands Ambulance Service received a call at 5.03pm on Tuesday 3 February to an address in Leicester.
“The caller reported a medical emergency. We sent a paramedic in an ambulance car, three crewed ambulances and a responder from the air ambulance was also in attendance.
“We transported one patient to Leicester Royal Infirmary.”
Pictured: Police at the scene of the 'serious incident'
11:12 , Joe Middleton
Roads closed due to 'police scene preservation'
10:59 , Rebecca WhittakerLeicestershire Police confirmed a number of road closures since around 6pm on Tuesday “due to police scene preservation”.
These closure are expected to stay in place for a number of hours which may cause traffic disruption, officers said in a social media post.
However, a spokesman for Leicestershire Police said on Wednesday morning they were unable to confirm any details about the incident at this time.
Road closures affect access to Leicester Royal Infirmary
10:58 , Rebecca WhittakerThe road closures also affect access to the hospital and car park at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Leicestershire Police said: "NHS staff will be given access to the hospital car park but will need to provide their ID to officers at the scene.”
Patients have also been warned to allow for extra time to travel to appointments.
In a Facebook post University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, which runs the site said: “If you are delayed, please contact your clinic or department where possible.”
Emergency services rush to 'very serious incident' at De Montfort University.
10:57 , Rebecca WhittakerA spokesperson for De Montfort University said there has been a “very serious incident”.
“We are aware of a very serious incident on our campus. We are working with Leicestershire Police as they launch an immediate investigation.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by what has happened. We are offering direct support to students and staff who witnessed the incident.”
Large cordon in place in Leicester city centre
10:55 , Rebecca WhittakerA large cordon has been in place in Leicester city centre since Tuesday evening and roads are currently closed.
Officers said the road closures currently in place are: Infirmary Road, Oxford Street, Infirmary Square, Carlton Street, York Road, Lower Brown Street, The Gateway, and Gosling Street.
