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Why is what’s happening in Leicester secret?

293 replies

GrandmaMazur · 04/02/2026 10:59

I just saw a news alert about a very serious incident that happened last night in Leicester and the area is cordoned off with a heavy police presence. But there are no details available.

I don’t remember seeing a news story like this before where nothing about the actual incident is reported. Does this happen regularly and I’ve not noticed or is this quite unusual?

I hope it’s nothing too awful.

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pottymouth40 · 04/02/2026 12:13

BishyBarnyBee · 04/02/2026 12:08

I'm not the one using emojis to comment on a serious issue.

You’re really clutching at straws aren’t you?

So apparently now using a 🤔 emoji means I don’t care about the many fatal stabbings and incidents that are going on in this country lately?

Ok.

You carry on in your lala land dear whilst meanwhile in the real world…

Lobbygobbler · 04/02/2026 12:11

Having been in the unfortunate situation of something similar happening at my DC’s university, the logistics of contacting next of kin can be tricky. Please give the police time and space to do their jobs and give the people involved the opportunity to hear news about their loved ones first. For those of you coming onto social media and demanding answers about a tragic situation which is fuck all to do with you, you are pretty vile. Some of you are nothing but ghouls.

Travelfairy · 04/02/2026 12:11

There must have been some sort of public element to it as one report quoted police or university offering their thoughts to all those who witnessed the event...I wonder did it occur at some kind of event, fundraiser or social or something. No idea why details so limited maybe because the details will cause particular outrage. Sadly, stabbings are not that unusual but are rarely covered in such secrecy. There seems to have been a media blackout for 12 hours. Maybe someone high profile involved?
An 'incident' happened in my area 2 years ago in a college. A man with a gun threatened to harm himself and others. There was a media blackout as the man involved is the husband of a high profile woman. Not a celebrity but a well known figure.

Dolamroth · 04/02/2026 12:10

JamesClyman · 04/02/2026 11:21

But giving no details at all and the report seems more concerned with traffic delays resulting from the "incident".

Hardly BBC journalism at its finest.

Because the police hadn't released them at the time

ChapmanFarm · 04/02/2026 12:10

If they are clear it is certain type of incident or that it is being treated as one until confirmed otherwise, they usually say so.

My guess would be that the motive isn't clear but that the circumstances mean it either is, or could be interpreted as, politically motivated or a hate crime.

And this doesn't just mean all the 'doctors and engineers' comments. The victim could be a member of the armed forces, they might be Jewish, might be Asian. Any of these could mean it's a hate crime but could also mean two people got into a fight about something entirely unrelated.

GrandmaMazur · 04/02/2026 12:09

viques · 04/02/2026 12:06

Because some people are so desperate to be “part of the story” that they invent connections

a train crash: “I was on a different train a week ago”

a stabbing the night before: “ I wouldn’t let my children go to school in case the person being held in custody was released and given the knife back”

Or it might be because they’re frightened because all the roads round their house are cordoned off and there’s a heavy police presence and there is no information about what is going on!

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pottymouth40 · 04/02/2026 12:09

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BishyBarnyBee · 04/02/2026 12:08

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I'm not the one using emojis to comment on a serious issue.

viques · 04/02/2026 12:06

CousinBette · 04/02/2026 11:54

Why would you not send your kids to school?

Because some people are so desperate to be “part of the story” that they invent connections

a train crash: “I was on a different train a week ago”

a stabbing the night before: “ I wouldn’t let my children go to school in case the person being held in custody was released and given the knife back”

GalaxyJam · 04/02/2026 12:05

CharlotteFlax · 04/02/2026 12:01

The demographic I'm seeing here is male, and that's it. I don't give two hoots if they are a different race to me, it's the male factor that is strongest in these situations, not ethnicity.

Men. Violent men.

100%

LavenderBlue19 · 04/02/2026 12:03

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Liberal people who are not racist, and call out racism when they see it, are to blame for you being racist?

LOL.

NoDrums · 04/02/2026 12:02

Simplesbest · 04/02/2026 11:58

They're worried it was a hate incident. Most people in the area are Asian. With no information they didn't want to send their kids off on the bus alone or walking etc

I thought this was the reason for the news embargo given that this seems to have happened yesterday evening around 5pm.

CharlotteFlax · 04/02/2026 12:01

The demographic I'm seeing here is male, and that's it. I don't give two hoots if they are a different race to me, it's the male factor that is strongest in these situations, not ethnicity.

Men. Violent men.

GasperyJacquesRoberts · 04/02/2026 12:01

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Your first post on this thread was "Let’s all guess what demographic the stabber will be hmmm" and now you're all faux-outraged and clutching your pearls about not caring about who's been killed.

So tell me, as this was something you are so interested in - what's your guess about the demographic of the stabber? And where's your concern for the person who's been stabbed?

Galatine · 04/02/2026 12:01

It's not secret a 20 year old has died in hospital and another man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Presumably the police want to collect as much information as possible before the waters get muddied by speculation and hearsay.

Bagsintheboot · 04/02/2026 11:59

When you see generic "serious incident" headlines it's because the police are still trying to sort the scene out, get victims medical help, identify victims, ensure they have actually found all the victims (they're not always handily all in one spot) and identify / get hold of the suspect.

They have to cordon things off and tell people there's something going on, but until they have more detail they won't release it and nor should they - they're not in the business of entertaining people with gossip.

And yes, a fatal stabbing is a "very serious incident" - what else would you call it??

Edited to add: the above doesn't even consider the additional complications that might exist such as gang warfare or a heavily contaminated and confused scene.

Christmasinmecar · 04/02/2026 11:58

I get that people are interested but don't some people just love the drama of someone elses tragedy and loss?
FFS the demanding and the whining that goes on. What are the details, why aren't we being told? Most of it is probably plastered over fucking fb by now, same with car crashes and murder scenes and the scum taking photos on their phones and videoing. Makes me sick.

Simplesbest · 04/02/2026 11:58

CousinBette · 04/02/2026 11:54

Why would you not send your kids to school?

They're worried it was a hate incident. Most people in the area are Asian. With no information they didn't want to send their kids off on the bus alone or walking etc

pottymouth40 · 04/02/2026 11:56

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CousinBette · 04/02/2026 11:54

Simplesbest · 04/02/2026 11:25

Yeah she is worried. Some neighbours didn't send their kids to school as they're feeling a bit vulnerable. I did say that at least they don't appear to be searching for any perpetrators. Doesn't seem to be increased police presence in the surrounding areas either.

Why would you not send your kids to school?

soupyspoon · 04/02/2026 11:52

TheSpidermanIsHavingMeForDinnerTonight · 04/02/2026 11:50

“18 year old stabbed” is hardly a major incident is it?

But initial reports which came out hours after the event described it as a "very serious incident" so yes it is in their own words.

Serious, yes, unusual no

As others have said unfortunately stabbings are now ten a penny

GrandmaMazur · 04/02/2026 11:51

AnyoneWhoHasAHeart · 04/02/2026 11:46

I find it far more odd that you’re looking to bring this out into the open somehow.

You do know that crimes happen all the time where there isn’t wall-to-wall coverage? Stabbings, muggings, drug dealers being arrested, most of which involve police cordons.

“18 year old stabbed” is hardly a major incident is it? Other than to his poor family who now have to also contend with the likes of you and others on social media wanting to turn this into some kind of mass event.

But they’re not reported in the news as being serious incidents without giving details are they? Violence is sadly far too common and I agree that it’s not all widely reported. I just saw the headlines and found it odd that it was being reported and yet not being reported at the same time.

I’m not sure what you mean about turning this into some kind of mass event? I have no desire to cause anything.

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BishyBarnyBee · 04/02/2026 11:51

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I see this comment and the related "Doctor or Engineer?" all over social media at the moment and I find it deeply depressing and sad. It seems to have become absolutely acceptable to voice racist assumptions about any incident without waiting to hear the facts. It tells me so much about the kind of person you are that you can't even wait for the information to come through before you start gloating.

BlushingBrightly · 04/02/2026 11:51

Weird that it happened last night but area is still closed. Worrying to think that maybe because a perpetrator is still at large - not saying they are, but surely evidence wouldn't be spread over that whole area requiring its closure?

TheSpidermanIsHavingMeForDinnerTonight · 04/02/2026 11:50

“18 year old stabbed” is hardly a major incident is it?

But initial reports which came out hours after the event described it as a "very serious incident" so yes it is in their own words.

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