Family of Saudi student stabbed to death says UK is not safe for visitors

The family of a Saudi student who was stabbed to death in the UK has said the country is no longer safe for visitors and tourists.

Mohammed Yousef Alqassem, 20, was killed in Cambridge, in what police have described as an “unprovoked attack”.

A man has been charged with murder and will appear at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday. Mr Alqassem, who Cambridgeshire Police earlier named as Mohammed Algasimm, had been on a 10-week placement at a language school.

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The force said that its officers were called to Mill Park in Cambridge at 11.27pm on Friday following reports of violence. Mr Alqassem was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.01am on Saturday despite the efforts of paramedics.

Majed Abalkhail, Mr Alqassem's uncle, said the family believed Britain was no longer a safe place to visit.

“Many people, both in the UK and abroad, have expressed growing concerns about the rise in violent crime in Britain, and we believe the country is no longer a safe destination for students or tourists,” he said.

“We hope this incident will prompt serious reflection on public safety and the protection of innocent lives.”

Mr Abalkhail paid tribute to his nephew, who he said lived in Makkah and served pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.

“Mohammed was a calm, kind-hearted young man, loved and respected by everyone who knew him,” he said.

“He had dreams of studying medicine and came to the UK with a heart full of hope and a passion for learning. Unfortunately, his journey ended in tragedy. His family and community are devastated by this horrific loss.”

Mr Abalkhail's comments about crime in the UK come after a wave of 'Rolex ripper' luxury watch thefts and mobile phone snatches, as well significant knife crime.

In a statement issued through police, Mr Alqassem's family said he was a “young man brimming with enthusiasm, brimming with chivalry and courage”.

“Over time, he became the family’s charisma, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy in every gathering,” they said.

“He was his father’s support, his familiar companion, and the assistant to his uncles and maternal uncles.

“He was the most compassionate person to ever visit a mother’s heart and the closest to his sisters’ embrace.”

EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private school offering English language courses to overseas students, said it was “deeply saddened” to confirm one of its adult students had died.

A postmortem examination is scheduled for Tuesday.

Mill Park is a street close to Cambridge railway station and comprises residential blocks. Floral tributes had been left outside one of these buildings.

A message, on a piece of paper taped to a barrier behind the tributes, said “May your soul be at peace” and had heart shapes drawn on it. Other messages were written in Arabic.

Chas Corrigan, of Cambridge, has been charged with murder and possession of a knife in a public place. The 21-year-old appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday and was remanded in custody to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday.

A 50-year-old man, also from Cambridge, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. He remains in custody.