Forensic dig in Northampton back garden
Read our exclusive report of events going on right now in the back garden of a house on a quiet Northampton street
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By Natalie Bloomer and Sarah Ward
Police and forensic archaeologists are digging up the front and back garden of a Northampton home amid unconfirmed reports that human remains have been found.
Officers arrived at 20 Beechwood Drive in the Westone area of Northampton on Wednesday after receiving a report that an “item of archaeological interest had been found”.
Several neighbours have told NN Journal this morning that they’ve heard human bones have been discovered at the property.
“I’ve been told that human bones have been found, I’ve lived here since 1994 and never seen anything like this round here,” one said.
Another said his father believes a human skull was discovered at the bungalow more than 50 years ago.
“We saw the police turn up on Wednesday afternoon and they stayed outside the house all night so we knew it must be something serious.
“My dad has owned this house since it was first built so I texted him to say police were digging up a garden on the street and he replied to ask if it was Number 20 because he remembers a skull being found there around 50 years ago.”
Local residents say police were outside the house throughout Wednesday night and have been on the street every day since.
At least six people in forensic suits are digging at the property today and a detective has also visited the site.
A forensic tent is visible in the back garden and a blue cover has been erected in the front where mounds of mud are today being sifted through.
While NN Journal was at the scene the owner of the property arrived but did not wish to make any comment other than to confirm she is still living at the property while the dig takes place.
However, neighbours say she has not lived there long and that she has been having some work done to the home recently which is how the discovery is believed to have happened.
According to property website Rightmove the home was last bought in 2019 for £210,000. Before that it was sold in 2018 and in 2004.
Police will only confirm that an “archaeological dig” is taking place and that they received a call on Wednesday at 2pm.
The residential area of Westone was built in the early 50s around the old Westone Manor House which was owned by the Northampton shoe manufacturer William Sears. Much of the surrounding area was fields at the time. It is currently made up mainly of three bedroom semi detached homes and bungalows.
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