A man in his 20s was seriously injured after a stabbing in Charles Street
11:11, 16 Apr 2026
The incident saw a closure put in place on Charles Street(Image: Leicester Mercury)
Leicester residents say they are avoiding the city centre due to fears about crime after a man was seriously injured in a stabbing.
Leicestershire Police said a man in his 20s was found injured at the junction of Charles Street and Yeoman Lane, following a stabbing just after 3.30am on Thursday, April 16.
A manhunt is now underway after several men were seen running towards Lee Circle, St James Street and Hill Street, following the incident.
Officers said the man was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
Ricky Thompson, who was walking past the cordon on Thursday morning, said: “It’s getting ridiculous in the city centre now. We’re seeing a new incident every week, it’s that bad.
“It’s getting scary now.”
He added: “The incidents are just getting more frequent.
“Someone needs to do something about it because it could be a child who gets stabbed next.”
The 38-year-old wants knife arches installed in busy city centre streets such as Granby Street and Charles Street.
Ricky said: “I remember 20 years ago, the whole city was thriving. I used to come out with my mother and never feel unsafe, but now I wouldn’t come around here at night.
“You no longer feel safe walking around town. Everywhere you look, there is a police cordon.”
Sarfaraz Patel spotted the cordon while driving past the area. The 45-year-old property owner has noticed an effect on business due to a perception that Leicester is unsafe.
The cordon prohibited access for both pedestrians and vehicles(Image: Leicester Mercury)
He said: “When I wake up, I see people on the streets trying to find food, and that is getting more common too, just like these stabbing incidents. It’s shocking.
“I don’t feel safe here anymore. Personally, I wouldn’t go out in the city at night because it can get really scary, especially if you are alone.”
Not everyone was of the opinion that the city has become less safe over time, with another man saying: “It’s always been like this.
“It’s a shame when things like this happen, but for me, it’s no less safe than it has always been.
“Unfortunately, these types of incidents do happen, but I wouldn’t say there is more crime now compared to before.
“When you see something terrible happen, such as this, it is easy to say ‘oh, it’s never been this bad’, but it has been. Not trying to downplay the importance or significance of the stabbing today, but crime is always happening.”
Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to make a report via the force website or by calling Leicestershire Police on 101 and in both instances quoting the reference 26*216055
This attack is one of several high-profile incidents in Leicester city centre in recent months and comes after second-year De Montfort University student Khaleed Oladipo was stabbed to death in Oxford Street on February 3.