OUR CITY IS IN CRISIS.  

Leicester Castle Ward that includes the City Centre, De Montfort University and University of Leicester — is experiencing a level of violent crime that residents, students, and businesses should never have to accept. Serious attacks are happening in broad daylight, in the heart of our shopping, student, and commuter zones.

Castle Ward now ranks among the top 30 most dangerous wards in the entire UK, recording between 400 and 600 crimes every month, with violence and sexual offences making up more than one‑third of all reports. This is not normal for a major UK city. It is a sign of a system under extreme strain.

Recent incidents show a clear and escalating pattern:

- Feb 2026: Fatal stabbing of a student at 5pm (Oxford St)  

- Jan 2026: 19‑year‑old stabbed at 1pm (Bishop/Granby St)  

- Jan 2026: two elderly men injured with metal pole  (Castle Gardens) 

- Jan 2026: 19-year-old in hospital after knifepoint robbery in Leicester city centre (River Soar) 

- Nov 2025: Violent attack leaving a man in critical condition (Horsefair St)  

- Sept 2025: Stabbing on Bishop Street  

- June 2025: A 23-year-old drug dealer stamped a stranger to death in broad daylight while high on cannabis  (Near Royal Infirmary at 5.30pm)

- May 2025: 17‑year‑old left with life‑changing injuries at 5pm (Granby Street)

Violence is no longer confined to the night. It is happening at lunchtime, during the school run, and in the early evening — in the very places thousands of people walk every day.

This is not a series of isolated incidents.  
This is a public safety emergency.

LOCAL ACTION AND NATIONAL INTERVENTION NEEDED! 

Leicestershire Police is one of the lowest‑funded forces in England and Wales, despite policing a rapidly growing, diverse, and densely populated urban centre. Years of national underfunding and local resource pressures have left officers overwhelmed, under‑resourced, and unable to meet demand.

STRUCTURAL FAILURES DRIVING THE CRISIS

- £23 million in funding reductions over the last three years  
- 7th lowest‑funded police force in England and Wales  
- Reduction in proactive policing capacity, including city‑centre and night‑time economy units  
- A decade of real‑terms cuts leaving officer numbers below what is required for a city of Leicester’s size  
- Increasingly complex violent‑crime cases requiring specialist units that cannot be deployed consistently  

Local police are trying — but they cannot contain this crisis alone.  

This is now a national failure of funding, policy, and oversight, and Leicester urgently needs support from both local and national authorities. 

OUR COMMUNITY IS CALLING FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION

We urge the Home Office, the Leicestershire Police & Crime Commissioner, and Leicester City Council to work together and implement the following measures without delay:

1. Emergency Funding
Create a permanent City Centre Safety Taskforce with dedicated national and local resources.

2. Visible Policing
Restore regular foot patrols, high‑visibility units, and rapid‑response teams to deter knife crime and street violence.

3. CCTV Expansion, Maintenance & Lighting Improvements
Ensure full coverage and reliability across Oxford Street, Granby Street, St Nicholas Circle, New Walk, Castle Gardens, and other high‑risk areas.

4. Preventative Outreach
Support youth, community, and university‑based programmes addressing knife crime, conflict resolution, and restorative justice. 

WHAT MUST CHANGE IMMEDIATELY 

- A measurable reduction in violent crime within twelve months  
- Faster response times and visible policing during peak hours  
- Fully lit, fully monitored public spaces and transport routes  
- A city centre where residents, students, and visitors feel safe again  

CALL FOR ACTION

Leicester is a proud, diverse, resilient city. But right now, many people no longer feel safe walking through the city centre — even in daylight. That is unacceptable.

Restoring public confidence requires decisive, coordinated intervention.  
Every signature sends a clear message:

Our city is in crisis — and we refuse to accept this as the new normal.  

Leicester deserves safety, security, and peace of mind.

Together, we can make Leicester City Centre safe again.

SIGN THE PETITION AND HELP US CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION! 

 

References:

1. Feb 3, 2026: Fatal Stabbing (Oxford Street)

https://www.leics.police.uk/news/leicestershire/news/2026/february/police-launch-murder-investigation-after-man-stabbed/

​2. Jan 15, 2026: Daylight Stabbing (Bishop/Granby Street)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2ypn1wzvvo

3. Two elderly men injured with metal pole  (Castle Gardens) 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgvkm9rxmlo

4. Jan 27, 2026: 19-year-old in hospital after knifepoint robbery in Leicester city centre

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/man-ends-up-hospital-after-10781352

​5. Nov 30, 2025: Critical Assault (Horsefair Street)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78vnr7vykko

​6. Sept 5, 2025: Attempted Murder (Bishop Street)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2dnldnxkn3o

7. June 24, 2025: A 23-year-old drug dealer stamped a stranger to death in broad daylight while high on cannabis  (Near Royal Infirmary at 5.30pm)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg3n614pw6o

​8. May 30, 2025: 17yo Serious Injuries (Granby Street)

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/boy-left-life-changing-injuries-10227925

​9. Police funding reduction & national ranking (7th lowest‑funded)  

https://www.leics.police.uk/news/leicestershire/news/2026/january/chief-constable-raises-concerns-about-budget-and-impact-on-public-safety/

10. Castle Ward has the 26th highest crime rate ward of 7,543 wards in England and Wales. 

https://streetscan.co.uk/crime/a/ward/castle/e05010463

Sign the petition and help us call for immediate, united action to make Leicester City Centre safe again. 

Image Credits: BBC News