Leicester unrest Months on, city still split over what sparked violence

It has been four months since widespread unrest broke out on the streets of east Leicester, and although calm has been restored in the city, a sense of unease remains.

- Jessica Murray

"I don't think we can ever go back to normal," said Rukhsana Hussain, a community worker. "It reminds me of Covid when everyone was talking about the 'new normal'.

"I think we've got a new normal in Leicester now, because we've had quite a significant change in what the community perceives safety to be."

The images of violent clashes in the streets, cars being damaged and bottles thrown were broadcast around the world and prompted huge speculation on social media about the causes.

The high commissions of India and Pakistan both issued statements condemning the violence, while the home secretary, Suella Braverman, visited Leicester in the aftermath promising "the full force of the law" would be brought to bear.

Earlier this month Leicestershire police announced that they had arrested almost 100 people since the disorder, some of whom have already been jailed, and they are making frequent appeals to the public to help them identify possible culprits.

They released images of 10 men they are seeking in relation to the disorder, and said more images would be made public in coming weeks.

But while there have been no further reports of violent incidents since September, and the streets of east Leicester appear to be back to bustling normality, many still fear that the situation is fragile.

"I think it's a sensitive time at the moment. It's not something that now is in the past. It would be very foolish to think: 'Oh, that was an episode and it's all gone now,"" said Rita Patel, a Labour councillor for the Rushey Mead ward.

There is still widespread disagreement across the area's different communities about what led to the violence.