Students and staff attend vigil after fatal stabbing

De Montfort University (DMU) has held a vigil in memory of a second-year student who was stabbed to death near its campus.

DMU student Khaleed Oladipo, 20, died in hospital on 3 February after he was stabbed in Oxford Street, Leicester.

An 18-year-old man, Harper Dennis, of Bath Lane in Leicester, has been charged with Oladipo's murder.

On Wednesday, DMU opened a book of condolence for Oladipo, following an event on campus, in his memory.

A minute's silence was held during the vigil and a number of speeches were made.

DMU vice-chancellor, Prof Katie Normington, said: "This is the speech I never wanted to give.

"Last week a tragedy ripped through our campus that will change us and the city for some time to come."

She added Oladipo's loss "will always be felt".

Oladipo, who was studying cyber-security at the university, was described in a tribute as "a good boy who loved his family".

His family believe he had been on his way home to watch a football match on the evening on his death.

The vice-chancellor told the BBC students and staff had been impacted by the fatal stabbing, and offered counselling for anyone who felt they needed it.

Hoping to ease concerns about safety on campus, Normington said the university had 24-hour security and a dedicated police officer.

"We have put on more security guards, police have put on an extra patrol as well," she said.

"There is no sense that campus is any less safe than it ever was so I want to reassure them around that.

"But of course, they will feel shaken up by this, and I will recognise that."

Twig Smalley, a student union representative, said there had been a "sense of unease across campus" since the stabbing.

However, she said the reaction and support from the university had been positive.

"What we're hoping [the vigil] brings is a little bit of comfort to people and just bring people together again," she said.

"People are frightened, people don't know how to grieve, it's been really difficult, but it's been really important for us to provide that support and give that sense of community to everyone."

Smalley added the student union would be hosting further events to support students.

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