Student Witness Describes Hearing Scream Before Fatal Leicester Stabbing
An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a fatal stabbing in Leicester city centre that has left the local student community in shock. The incident occurred on Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane, at approximately 5pm on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Tragic Details of the Attack
The victim, a man in his 20s, was rushed to Leicester Royal Infirmary but tragically died a short time later. Leicestershire Police have confirmed that an 18-year-old suspect remains in custody as investigations continue. Officers have maintained a presence at the scene, with the cordon still in place as forensic examinations proceed.
Student Witness Accounts
One of the closest witnesses to the horrific incident was 19-year-old student Tye Crofton, who was working in the university's Innovation Centre adjacent to where the stabbing took place. "Just before 5pm yesterday I did hear a scream," Crofton recounted. "I work in the building right next to where the incident happened, so I guess the scream was from that incident. I saw the last half of what happened."
The student admitted that hearing screams on campus has become somewhat regular, saying "Every two days though I hear a scream and usually there isn't too much behind it as you hear a lot of people scream around here." However, he emphasised the chilling reality of this particular incident: "It was scary. It wasn't something that I had thought about before as you hear about this sort of thing happening in movies and TV, but you never expect it to happen on the doorstep where you work."
Growing Concerns Among Student Community
Another student, third-year Matthew Saunders, learned about the stabbing through social media and messages from concerned friends. The 20-year-old expressed his shock at the incident, noting a concerning trend: "During my time in Leicester, there hasn't really been too much happening, but in the past six months, I've been seeing more stabbings and incidents happening."
Saunders continued with a sobering observation: "It's really sad as I like Leicester and feel quite safe here, but in the past few months these types of incidents have started to snowball." When questioned about whether Leicester specifically has a problem with knife crime, he suggested it reflects a broader national issue: "I wouldn't say Leicester specifically has an issue with stabbings, but it's more of a wider issue in the UK which needs to be dealt with soon."
Impact on Personal Safety Awareness
The fatal attack has prompted serious reflection among students about their personal safety. Saunders admitted the incident has changed his perspective: "This stabbing has definitely made me think differently. It's made me realise we have to take more time to make sure we are safe and that our friends are safe too."
An anonymous student echoed these concerns about safety, particularly during evening hours: "I can't believe it, it's just not safe to come out when it's dark anymore. I was out when it happened and came back and saw it was all sealed off. It's so sad."
Ongoing Police Investigation
Leicestershire Police continue their investigation into the fatal stabbing, with the crime scene remaining secured as detectives gather evidence. There is currently no indication of when the cordon on Oxford Street and Bonners Lane will be lifted. The force has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward as they work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the tragic death.
The incident has sparked conversations across Leicester's student population about urban safety, with many expressing both shock at the proximity of the violence and concern about what they perceive as an increasing frequency of such incidents in the city centre.
