Quick Read
- A “very serious incident” occurred on Tuesday evening, February 3, 2026, at De Montfort University’s Oxford Street campus in Leicester.
- Leicestershire Police have established extensive cordons, closing multiple roads in Leicester city centre, causing significant traffic disruption.
- The nature of the incident has not been disclosed by either police or De Montfort University, which is cooperating with the investigation.
- Road closures are expected to remain in place for several hours, affecting morning rush hour commuters, including a doctor delayed for surgery.
- De Montfort University is offering direct support to students and staff who witnessed the incident.
LEICESTER (Azat TV) – Leicester city centre remains under extensive police cordon this morning, causing widespread traffic disruption, following what De Montfort University (DMU) has described as a “very serious incident” on its Oxford Street campus Tuesday evening. The prolonged closures, which began before 6 PM on February 3, 2026, have significantly impacted morning rush hour commuters, with authorities yet to provide details on the nature of the incident.
Leicestershire Police confirmed that multiple roads around the university campus and the Inner Ring Road are shut to both vehicles and pedestrians for scene preservation, a measure expected to continue for several hours into Wednesday, February 4. The incident’s exact nature has not been disclosed by either the police or the university, fueling public uncertainty.
Investigation Underway at De Montfort University Campus
The incident unfolded on Tuesday evening, February 3, close to The Innovation Centre on Oxford Street, part of the De Montfort University campus. Emergency services, including Leicestershire Police and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, swiftly responded to the scene, establishing a large cordon that stretched from Leicester Royal Infirmary to The Magazine. DMU security officers were also present, assisting with the situation.
A spokesperson for De Montfort University issued a statement, acknowledging a “very serious incident” on campus and confirming active cooperation with Leicestershire Police’s immediate investigation. The university extended its thoughts to those affected and announced that direct support is being offered to students and staff who witnessed the event. However, specific details about what transpired remain under wraps.
City Centre Gridlock Amid Leicester Road Closures
The extensive police operation has led to significant travel chaos across Leicester city centre. Roads such as Infirmary Road, Infirmary Square, Oxford Street, Carlton Street, York Road, Lower Brown Street, The Gateway, and Gosling Street are all closed. Local traffic control has reported that all inbound traffic is being diverted, and the Inner Ring Road has been “completely stalled” beyond the hospital.
The impact on daily life was highlighted by Dr. Paul Sharpe, who reported being 45 minutes late for an operating theatre at Leicester Royal Infirmary due to the “chaotic” traffic. While NHS staff are being granted access to the hospital car park upon showing ID, the broader public faces substantial delays and diversions. Police have urged motorists to avoid the area and allow extra time for their journeys.
Uncertainty Surrounds Oxford Street Incident Details
Despite the significant emergency response and the widespread disruption, Leicestershire Police have maintained a tight-lipped stance regarding the nature of the incident. A force spokesperson stated that scene preservation is in place following an incident in Oxford Street but did not provide further information. Reports from the scene indicated a large police presence, with numerous officers and vehicles, as well as drone footage capturing the scale of the cordon. One DMU student, Prince Sandhu, 25, who lives nearby, noted the heavy police presence but echoed the general sentiment that “nobody knows what’s been going on.”
As of Wednesday morning, police officials indicated they do not anticipate being in a position to provide further updates until Thursday. This prolonged silence, coupled with the severity of the university’s description of the event, suggests an ongoing and complex investigation.
The sustained and extensive nature of the police cordon, coupled with the unusual lack of official details regarding a “very serious incident” on a university campus, underscores the gravity and potential sensitivity of the ongoing investigation, signaling a deliberate strategy by authorities to control information while ensuring scene integrity.