Seven arrested after man is stabbed in city
23-YEAR-OLD FOUND WITH STAB WOUNDS IN CHURCHYARD
SEVEN people have been arrested after a man was stabbed a number of times in the middle of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter.
Members of the public raised the alarm after they spotted what was believed to be a fight involving a number of people in Yeoman Street just after 4am yesterday.
Police then found a 23-year-old man with stab wounds in the yard of St George’s Church.
Seven people from the Nottingham area were later arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. The suspects, who are aged between 21 and 26, were still in police custody at the time of publication.
The victim was taken to hospital after the attack. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening
A police cordon remained in place on Yeoman Street and in the churchyard for most of the day after the stabbing, which is the latest in a string of knife crimes blighting the city.
A member of staff at Halford Shoes, who did not wish to be named, said: “Footfall has been low for my business because of the city centre stabbings. The more it happens, less people will want to head out to support local businesses. I’m really worried for my business if this continues.” Residents who were speaking to police at the scene said it was worrying to see violent crime in what is usually a quiet neighbourhood. One said: “I was just walking past here last night thinking it was completely safe. I am really shocked that something like that would happen here, as it’s a nice area.”
Another resident said: “I live nearby and I’m really concerned that something like this would happen here.”
Detective Inspector Mark Parish of Leicestershire Police has appealed for witnesses to come forward. He said: “We know a number of people were involved in the fight and we’d like to speak to anyone who witnessed what happened or has any information about the circumstances leading up to it.
“Anyone who was driving in the area is asked to check their video recording equipment and contact us if they captured footage of the incident. Anyone with any information is asked to contact DS 2058 James Clayton on 101, quoting crime number 21*577400.”
Footfall has been low for my business because of the city centre stabbings
Shop worker