Mounting pressure to carry serious case review into death of Northampton homeless woman

Sam was loved by many at the Hope Centre and grew close to the volunteers at Castle Hill United Reform Church where she also accessed their Tuesday night drop-in.

The issue was raised both at Northampton Borough Council's full council meeting last Monday (June 3), and the Northamptonshire County Council cabinet meeting on Tuesday afternoon (June 11).

Tributes paid to Northampton rough sleeper Sam Wright

On Monday night councillor Zoe Smith (Lab, Abington) asked if a serious case review is being launched into Sam Wright's death.

Councillor Stephen Hibbert (Con, Riverside) told the meeting that Northamptonshire County Council had initiated the review - but a spokesman for the county said that was not the case.

Councillor Danielle Stone, who is an elected member on both authorities, believes the county council should be taking control over the issue.

Following Tuesday's meeting (June 11) she said: "I do think this is an adult safeguarding issue and I think the county council should own it."

She added: "This is why stuff falls through the net.

"Nobody takes ownership, and I've been going around in circles."

Stan Robertson, who runs outreach Project 16:15 Homeless Breakfast Delivery, has been delivering breakfasts to the homeless and rough sleeping community in Northampton for two years and had a good rapport with Sam.

He said he thinks there should be a serious case review led by Northamptonshire County Council.

"She didn't fit the mould for care available, which meant for her nothing was available, despite the constant efforts of many agencies.

"She was known to be extremely vulnerable, she was attacked on many occasions."