AREAS OF CITY ‘It’s empty of shoppers and full of alcoholics’
THEY REGARD AS ‘UNSAFE’
PEOPLE have told us about areas they regard as the most unsafe in the city.
We asked Mercury readers about these areas in Leicester on a Facebook post and more than 400 people responded.
Earlier this year, the safety of our streets was called into question after the widely reported death of Sarah Everard, the 33-year-old marketing executive who went missing on March 3 as she walked home in London.
The news prompted calls to make Leicester streets safer and, in response, city mayor Peter Soulsby pledged to do so.
City councillors echoed the need to make streets safer and calls were made to fill in the St Margaret’s underpass in the city centre, deemed “dark and dodgy”.
Many people who responded to our question felt “everywhere” in Leicester was unsafe, but the city centre was highlighted as a dangerous area, particularly early in the morning and late at night.
In one comment, Julie Richards said that during the pandemic “the town was empty of shoppers and full of druggies, alcoholics and thieves”.
Haroon Karatella, who also pointed out a presence of “druggies and alcoholics” in the city centre, said: “I work in town so was seeing it daily.”
Robert Garner described the area as a “no-go zone” in his comment. Others highlighted the Clock Tower specifically.
Emunah Ben Lines said she felt unsafe in town “especially early in the morning or after work in the evening”.
In February, a new purpose-built bus was launched to provide public safety messaging, help and support within the city centre.
The CityBus, introduced by Leicester City Council’s community safety and protection team, including the police and other organisations, has been parked next to the Clock Tower regularly, helping to tackle issues such as rough sleeping and street drinking.
The West End, namely Narborough Road, was another area of Leicester where readers felt most unsafe.
Matt Steane said: “Everywhere... I live in the west end... Not a nice place any more.”
John Cayless said: “Narborough Road... Clock Tower. The city centre is awful. Would rather go to Fosse Park.”
Toni Dalby said: “Narborough Road South.”
“I don’t think any city is particularly safe and Leicester is no exception,” said Sharon Batterton.
Christineburrell Rollings said: “Leicester used to be lovely to live in but now you don’t feel safe walking anywhere in Leicester.”