Knife crime is worrying most Derby residents, but police say it is lower than the national average.
Derby has been hit by its third stabbing in just 10 days after a mass brawl broke out in the early hours of Friday morning.
Two men were stabbed and a third suffered a head injury following a fight between two groups in Middleton Street, Normanton, at around 1.15 am on May 16. Six men have been arrested, and police say those involved are known to one another.
This latest violence comes after two previous knife attacks elsewhere in the city. On May 6, well-known businessman Gurvinder Singh Johal, owner of Hen and Chickens restaurant, was fatally stabbed inside Lloyds Bank on St Peter’s Street.
Also read: Huge street fight with knives – two stabbed, six arrested and three injured
Then, on May 15, a man in his 30s suffered stab wounds to his arm at a property on Crewton Way in Alvaston.
Derbyshire police have confirmed that the three incidents are not linked and occurred in separate areas. Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Shooter, who leads the force’s knife crime strategy, acknowledged the public’s concerns and said the rise in knife-related incidents was deeply troubling.
WATCH: Massive brawl in Derby with knives and stabbings
“The use of knives is devastating and, understandably, causes serious concern in our communities,” she said. “Derbyshire remains well below the national average for knife crime, but any incident is one too many.”
Is knife crime a problem in Derby now?
Between 2019/20 and 2023/24, knife crime in Derbyshire dropped by 9%, and the force continues to invest in long-term prevention. In 2022, Derbyshire launched a national-first educational tool — a board game called Shattered — to show young people the consequences of carrying knives.
Assistant Chief Constable Shooter added that officers carry out targeted stop-and-search operations, but warned that policing alone cannot solve the issue.
“This is not something we can tackle by ourselves. We work closely with local authorities, schools, and charities to reduce knife carrying. It’s a collective effort.”
The fatal stabbing of Mr Johal last week stunned Derby’s close-knit business community. Liberal Democrat Councillor Ajit Atwal, a friend of the victim, called it “senseless.”
“He was a good businessman, humble, quiet, and kind,” said Cllr Atwal. “His family are devastated. They just can’t understand what’s happened.”
Haybe Cabdiraxmaan Nur, 47, of Western Road, Normanton, has been charged with Mr Johal’s murder. He appeared at Derby Crown Court via video link on May 9. His next hearing is scheduled for August 15.
A second man arrested in connection with the killing has been released with no further action.
Police continue to appeal for witnesses or information related to the Middleton Street incident and urge anyone with footage or details to contact them.
