Police investigating murder in Norwich with suspect on run

People living in Paragon Place, Norwich, witnessed the attack which took place in the middle of their estate at about 7pm yesterday.

Police are continuing a manhunt for the suspected murderer but have said that this was an isolated incident and they do not believe there is a wider risk to the public.

‘IT WAS TERRIFYING’

Kate Pilatowska said she heard a commotion outside of her home and saw the moment the man was killed.

She said: "I have never experienced anything like this in my life it was so terrifying.

Kate Pilatowska, pictured in her doorway, witnessed the attack right outside of her home (Image: Bruno Brown)

"I could hear fighting and swearing going on right outside of my house, there was so much noise and quite a few people involved.

"Suddenly a weapon was drawn and a man was stabbed, he fell to the floor and the person ran away, with one or two others.

"It all happened so fast and I was so shocked I didn't really take in what I'd seen and couldn't get a good look for a description sadly.

"People were screaming, ‘Ollie hold on, hold on’, the victim looked aged in his 30s.

“The man was alive when the services arrived and there was a huge pool of blood, it was so awful and what is so sad is that the community here is so strong and everyone we know here is so friendly."

Officers have been flying drones in the area as the suspect is still on the run (Image: Bruno Brown)

Another witness described how she saw the victim lying on the floor while paramedics were trying to save his life.

“I was walking home from work and saw a group of people standing around someone on the floor, there was blood gushing everywhere and it made me feel sick," she said.

“I took some deep breaths and tried to walk away, when I looked in the other direction I saw a member of the public in tears with blood on her hands, I can only assume she had tried to help the man before the services arrived.”

Police officers pictured protecting the police cordon (Image: Bruno Brown) Forensics teams worked through the night to collect evidence (Image: Bruno Brown)

PAST PROBLEMS

Just a short walk from the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Unthank Road, Paragon Place has a history of anti-social behaviour.

In 2021 people living in the flats on the estate told of their relief at having security doors fitted and the promise that CCTV would also be installed. They hoped that this would crack down on a decade of muggings and drug deals in their area.

READ MORE: Murder suspect on the run after man is stabbed to death

READ MORE: Forensics and officers search West Pottergate after stabbing

The murder happened in Paragon Place, just near the underpass (Image: Bruno Brown) Forensics teams worked through the night to collect evidence (Image: Bruno Brown)

But some locals say anti-social behaviour is still a problem and violence in the estate has become "normal" and they don't even pay particular attention to the noise of fighting anymore.

One person, who has lived in Paragon Place since 2019 and wished to remain unnamed, said: “I am so used to hearing arguing on the streets in the area, it is just so common.

"When I first moved in I was on edge by it and would feel really anxious but now I’m not.

"So when I heard the commotion, shouting and chaos last night I ignored it and just carried on watching TV and didn't even bother looking.

“Eventually I looked when I got up to make a drink and a paramedic was resuscitating a man while I am assuming friends of the person were walking around with their hands on their heads in shock."

Police and forensics are investigating the murder in Norwich (Image: Bruno Brown)

‘IT WAS A LOVELY SUMMER EVENING’

Mrs Matthews, 64, has always lived in Norwich and her flat faces the crime scene.

She says that crime in the city has never been so bad in her entire life.

"When I was young and used to go clubbing I used to get out of the Sampson Club at 2am and walk home and never look back or have any concerns at all, it used to be such a safe city.

“Knife crime wasn’t a thing, yeah there were the odd fights, but now it’s becoming normalised and it’s sickening, it was also daylight still, a lovely warm summer evening, just so sad.

Forensics teams capturing images of the crime scene (Image: Bruno Brown) Forensics teams are still collecting evidence (Image: Bruno Brown)

“I used to work in a hospital and would see dead bodies, you get used to it when you work at a hospital, but you don’t expect to see it on the streets, it’s vile, I don't know what else to say.”

John Cena lives on the estate and holds meetings every three months with the police and city and county councillors, as well as hosts community events, for a group called Island Community Group which look after the area.

He said: "We are aware there is a drug issue, not saying the murder is related, but it is a problem in the area, we want to keep our streets safe for everyone.

“So this is sickening to happen right on our doorstep. Some locals don’t like walking the underpass at the best of times, so this is a real blow to the community.

“At our meeting next week this no doubt will be something we discuss at length as we are determined to highlight and tackle issues directly for the benefit of everyone."

MANHUNT CONTINUES FOR MURDER SUSPECT

Police have launched a manhunt for the murder suspect, who is believed to have fled the scene moments after the attack.

Detective superintendent Dave Freeman said: “We understand this is a deeply concerning incident and we are working hard to locate the suspect.

“A number of police resources have been deployed to the scene and we are in the early stages of our enquiries to establish the circumstances around this incident.

"At this time I do not believe there to be any wider risk to the public.

“This happened during daylight hours and there would have been people in the area. I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or saw anything suspicious to contact police.”

Police forensics working overnight (Image: Bruno Brown)