By Uchenna Okogwu
Students and members of the public have shared concerns about safety in Castle Gardens, Leicester, following a recent assault and ongoing worries about poor lighting and limited CCTV coverage in the area.
On Sunday, January18, two men in their 60s were found injured in Castle Gardens during the early hours of the morning. Leicestershire Police confirmed the incident was being treated as an assault and that enquiries were ongoing.
A 16-year-old boy was later arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm before being released on bail.
In a statement released on the police website, Detective Sergeant Vicky Hudson from the Force’s Complex Investigation Team said: “Our investigation is very much in its early stages, and we are working to establish exactly what happened in the park and the circumstances leading up to the incident.”
Police also confirmed that officers are reviewing CCTV footage, carrying out local enquiries, and initially placed a cordon at the scene to allow for a full forensic examination of the area.
DS Hudson added that officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area during the early hours of the morning or witnessed anything unusual.
Despite this, students who regularly walk through Castle Gardens say they continue to feel uneasy, particularly after dark.
Several students from blocks of flats near the park described the area as poorly-lit, with limited visible surveillance.
Beth, 19, a first year acting student who lives in Newarke Point accommodation block, said: “Even knowing there’s an investigation, it still doesn’t feel safe walking through at night.
“You don’t really see cameras, and the lighting makes it hard to see who’s around.”
Other people who use the gardens as a walking route shared similar concerns, saying they often avoid the area after dark.
Castle Gardens is located within Leicester’s Castle ward, an area that has previously recorded higher levels of reported crime.
Students and residents are now calling for improved lighting, clearer CCTV coverage, and long-term safety measures to prevent future incidents.
Leicestershire Police urged anyone with information relating to the January 18 assault to come forward as investigations continue. They can phone 101, quoting crime reference 26*32801 if they can help.
