Northampton murder probe over death of man

A police cordon was set up in Byfield Road, Northampton

The death of a 23-year-old man at a block of flats near to a town centre is being investigated as murder, police said.

Officers were called to Cordwainer House sheltered housing in Byfield Road, Northampton, after reports of a "disturbance".

Police said inquiries were continuing to establish what happened.

The two-storey block of flats, in a residential area, has been cordoned off by police.

Cordwainer House offers sheltered housing to people over 60 with visiting independent living officers from Northampton Partnership Homes and a careline link for emergencies.

Its tenants have experienced problems in the past.

In December 2016 a closure order was granted against one of the tenants for being "engaged in disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour on those premises for an extended period of time", police said at the time

"The use of those premises was a serious nuisance to local residents and members of the public," a police spokesman said.

Northampton Partnership Homes, part of the borough council's support team for tenants, has a specialist support team working with people who have difficulties in managing their tenancy, and helping them to live independently.

"Support is client-led and tailored to individual needs and can include the co-ordination of other services," the organisation's website says.

"We work with any NPH tenant who has an eligible support need. Our support workers are specifically trained to work with specialist client groups."

The help offered on the website includes issues related to older people, drug or alcohol dependency, disability, domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour.

Cordwainer House, where the man was found dead, provides sheltered and retirement housing, according to its website