Northampton murder victim member of the town’s homeless community

In this week's Friday brief: Latest on Northampton murder victim; safety fears prompt meeting change; and call for cross-party cooperation on road safety issue

The man murdered in Northampton on Wednesday was part of the town’s homeless community.

The man being named locally as Robert, who was aged 44 and also known as Polish Red (due to a constant eye infection) died on Wednesday evening after being attacked close to the Coop on Hester Street in Semilong just after midnight.

A 28-year-old man was arrested shortly after the assault and Northants police say he remained in custody on suspicion of murder. At the time of NN Journal going to press no charges had been made in connection with the murder.

A resident, who does not want to be named, heard a noise in the street outside and watched the immediate after events unfold.

She said: “I saw a female police officer running down the road and calling for backup. I heard her say on the radio there had been an assault. People were trying to help by using their phone flashlights. The ambulance and police seemed to arrive quickly.”

Police were doing door-to-door enquiries on Wednesday afternoon in the area…