19-year-old University of Northampton student who was fatally stabbed named by police

A 19-year-old University of Northampton (UON) student who was fatally stabbed near the campus has been named by police.

Kwabena Osei-Poku, previously known as Alfred, was stabbed on Sunday (April 23) on New South Bridge Road, Far Cotton, yards away from the university’s Waterside campus. Kwabena, originally from Peterborough, died at the scene.

Northamptonshire Police has since launched a murder investigation after officers were initially called at around 8.40pm on Sunday.

Today (Wednesday April 26), police have named the teenager and have released a statement. Officers have also confirmed that two more people have been arrested.

Senior Investigating Officer – Detective Inspector Simon Barnes said: “Our thoughts are with Kwabena’s family and friends at this awful time.

"I am really grateful for their support so far and I want to reiterate to them, and to the local community, that our focus remains solely on bringing those responsible for this crime to justice.

“Detectives from across the region continue to work on this investigation and multiple lines of enquiry are being followed. However I would continue to appeal for anyone with information or footage of the incident to come forward and speak to us.”

Police added that neighbourhood policing officers continue to carry out extra patrols in the New South Bridge Road area of Northampton to offer reassurance to the local community. Anyone with any concerns is more than welcome to approach these officers who will be happy to help.

Following the police statement, the university also released another statement.

UON Vice Chancellor Anne-Marie Kilday said: "We are now, following consultation with Northamptonshire Police, in a position to be able to name the student who died on New South Bridge Road on Sunday (April 23).

"We are heartbroken at the senseless death of Kwabena Osei-Poku – known previously as Alfred. I have heard from Alfred’s advertising and digital marketing foundation tutors, who tell me he was working on a project investigating the growth of technological tools used in marketing, and was on the route to succeed in his studies.

"His fellow students and all staff at the University of Northampton are devastated by this news, and once again extend our deepest sympathies to his friends, family and all those who knew him. We will now focus on support for the University community as we try to deal with this tragic loss of life."

Speaking at the scene of the incident on Monday, Superintendent Rachel Hanford said the police force believes the incident was a “targeted attack”.

Nine people in total – five men aged 19, one man aged 18 and two women aged 18 and one woman aged 19 – have been arrested in connection with the incident. Two men aged 19 and two women aged 18 have been released on bail, pending further enquiries. Three men aged 19, one man aged 18 and one woman aged 18 remain in police custody, and continue to be questioned by detectives.

Following on from the incident, the University of Northampton confirmed Kwabena was a studying at the university and said they would help members of their community. The university also confirmed lectures will be continuing.

Floral tributes were left at the scene of the incident with many paying their respects. Some residents who live close by told this newspaper that they do not feel safe, while others say they do, but are heartbroken by what happened.

Andrew Lewer MP also released a statement to ask the community to “pull together” and “not speculate on social media” and police, fire and crime commissioner Stephen Mold said he would find more funding to tackle knife crime.

Off The Streets NN - a charity fighting knife crime - also spoke out after the latest incident to say they feel “heartbroken and deflated” after another young life was lost. A mother of another fatal stab victim echoed this thoughts saying the “county is in crisis”.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident should call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 incident number: 23000244815.