Police authorities are facing mounting pressure to provide a detailed explanation for a significant delay in releasing crucial information about a fatal stabbing incident involving a university student in Leicester. The victim, a 20-year-old man, was attacked at approximately 5pm on Tuesday in close proximity to the De Montfort University (DMU) campus, situated in the heart of Leicester city centre.
Criticism Over Communication Failure
Leicestershire Police did not issue an official press release until 11.30am on Wednesday, a gap of more than 18 hours after the initial incident occurred. This delay persisted even after the university itself had confirmed that a very serious incident had taken place, leaving the community in a state of uncertainty and anxiety.
Political Figures Voice Concerns
Local councillor Phil King, who represents the Harborough district as a Conservative, described the delay as terribly unhelpful and stated that it had led to widespread idle speculation. This speculation included unfounded rumours suggesting that multiple individuals had been stabbed and that the incident might be connected to another event in Sheffield.
Councillor King has formally written to the city's police and crime commissioner, Rupert Matthews, demanding a clear explanation for the communication lapse. He emphasised that while the tragedy is deeply concerning, the lack of timely information has exacerbated public fear and confusion.
Shockat Adam, the independent MP for Leicester South, which encompasses the DMU campus, also expressed his concerns. He revealed that he has engaged with Leicestershire Police regarding their communications strategy around this incident. Adam noted that when you have a vacuum, it gets filled by rumours, and he anticipates that the police will learn from this experience to improve future responses.
Community Reaction and Speculation
Residents living near the university have voiced their distress and frustration over the police's handling of the information release. Stuart Bint, a retired author, publicly questioned Leicester MP Liz Kendall about the complete secrecy maintained by Leicestershire Police, highlighting that fear and speculation have become rampant in the area.
Other local residents, including Kathy Parr and Ben Bradgate, echoed similar sentiments, questioning why this incident was shrouded in such secrecy compared to other stabbings reported in the news. They called for more transparency to calm the community and prevent the spread of misinformation.
Police Response and Investigation Details
In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for Leicestershire Police acknowledged that the incident has caused significant concern to residents and the wider community. The force outlined the steps taken following the report, which included deploying emergency services and establishing scene preservation to secure evidence and initiate the investigation.
The police also noted that notifications about road closures were shared on their social media channels. However, the delay in releasing detailed information was attributed to the necessary processes involved in locating the deceased's next of kin and allowing specially-trained officers to inform them of the tragedy, in line with the force's victim-first approach.
Once these procedures were completed, information about the incident was finally published on the force's official website and social media platforms. Meanwhile, an 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the stabbing, and police officers were seen conducting thorough searches in the area, including examining bins and bushes, as part of the ongoing investigation.
