Police officers are appealing for witnesses after the BMW 5 Series was stolen from Greenhills Road, Northampton.

The incident happened between February 26 and February 27 when a BMW 5 Series was taken from the area following a test drive that day.

It is believed that the potential buyer had swapped the spare key during the test drive and returned overnight to steal the vehicle.

Anyone who saw the incident, or has information about it, is asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Information can also be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Copper piping was stolen from a property in the Wilderness, Kelmarsh, by burglars.

The incident happened between 4pm on Thursday, February 28, and 11am on Friday, March 1, when the thieves gained entry by smashing a window.

During the burglary, extensive water damage was caused to the property.

Anyone who saw the incident, or has information about it, is asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Information can also be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

A boy was racially abused before being headbutted by another child in Corby.

The incident took place between 4.20pm and 4.25pm on Thursday, February 21.

A 13-year-old boy was playing in a park near Brinkhill Walk when he and his friends were approached by a group of boys.

One of them racially abused the boy before he then grabbed his clothing and headbutted him in the face, causing bruising and swelling.

The suspect is described as a white boy aged around 12, about 5ft tall and with blond hair.

A police spokesman said: “Anyone who saw the incident or has information about it is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

“Information can also be shared with Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.”

Sometime betwen between 7pm and 8pm on Tuesday, February 26, a man was punched once in the face by an unknown attacker while walking from Commercial Street to a ramp leading to Home Bargains, off Foundry Street,

The man had to attend hospital and receive treatment for two fractures to his jaw.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the incident are being asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.

More than £3,000 - on JustGiving and through a raffle at the pub - has been raised for the oncology department at Charing Cross Hospital where Sara is being treated for ovarian cancer.

Cobblers supporters will now be offered the chance to buy the former athletics track adjoining Northampton Town's stadium in the event the club is sold - after it was added to the Asset of Community Value (ACV) listing.

In Decemer, the borough council announced that the Northampton Town Supporters' Trust's three-year bid to see Sixfields Stadium and land around it designated as an ACV had been succesful.

The status means the council must grant a six-month moratorium to the trust, or any other community group interested in buying the assett, in the event of a decision to sell the stadium - now known as The PTS Training Academy.

The listing at the time included the west stand car park land at Sixfields - but not the old athletics track behind the stadium’s East Stand.

Ongoing talks between the borough council and the trust since Christmas have now seen that parcel of land - once used by Northampton Phoenix Athletics Club - included in the listing.

"The listing means that any future development proposed in relation to the assets listed will need to take into consideration the ACV status," a statement released today by the trust reads:

"The Trust, as the nominator for the listing, will be observing closely and responding to any proposals."

Northampton Borough Council holds the freehold to Sixfields, which was built as a community stadium for the people of the town in 1994.

The outcome marks "an important step for the protection of community land" according to the trust, which is currently discussing a model for owning the club outright.

It is set to hold a public meeting about the possibility of a fan-led takeover at The Park Inn Hotel in Silver Street on Sunday, March 10. The meeting is due to start at 1pm.

Cobblers duo Shaun McWilliams and Junior Morias missed out on a place in Saturday’s matchday squad at Crewe Alexandra based ‘purely on selection decisions’ according to manager Keith Curle.

When fit, McWilliams is usually a regular pick in Town’s midfield for Curle, starting six of eight games prior to the weekend’s trip to Gresty Road, but it’s been far more of a struggle for Morias.

The 23-year-old, plagued by injury and non-selection in his first season at the PTS, was in the team for three successive games in January and February but his last start came against Colchester United over a month ago and he’s only made the occasional fleeting appearance off the bench since, playing a combined 28 minutes across Town’s last five matches.

Both McWilliams and Morias missed out on the matchday 18 at Crewe on Saturday as Daniel Powell and John-Joe O’Toole scored in a 2-0 victory, and Curle seemed to suggest there was no fitness issue with either when quizzed about their absence afterwards,

“They were purely selection decisions,” explained the Town boss. “We have players now coming back fit and now it’s down to me to pick a starting XI.

“We also need to have players on the bench to change the game if I need to or, like on Saturday, to see a game out.

“We look at games, we look at training and we look at who’s performing and then I pick the team. As a player, they need to know what the acceptable levels are.

“Come in, perform, impress, wait for your opportunity and then, when you get your opportunity, take it.”

The decision to include Powell in the starting line-up on Saturday was another selection call that caught many off guard, with the 27-year-old’s most recent start before Saturday coming all the way back on December 15.

But Curle was justified as Powell scored one and created the other, heading Cobblers in front just shy of the half-hour mark and then supplying the cross for O’Toole to double the lead a few minutes later.

“That may have raised a few eyebrows and some people might have wondered what I was doing with him coming in and out of the fray,” said Curle.

“But if people perform and if people train well and do what I need them to do and show what they’ve got, then there’ll be opportunities for them to come in and put performances that will only enhance their reputations.

“Powelly has been doing that. We’ve organised a few games behind closed doors and he’s earned the right for his selection and that’s nothing to do with the players not selected in the starting XI.”

Geoff Boyson, 40, suffered suspected broken ribs and cuts to the head after being arrested by Northamptonshire Police for a crime he was later cleared of in court.

The incident happened when the father-of-one attempted to mediate between bailiffs and the owners of a convenience store.

But the bailiffs accused him of interfering with their duties and called the police, who arrived and arrested him.

A video of the arrest shows the former security guard being wrestled to the ground by two officers and repeatedly kneed in the head and body.

Geoff was charged with assaulting a police officer but was found not guilty after a trial at Wellingborough Magistrates Court in January.

The case is now being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Geoff, who is currently off work with a bad back, said: "I didn't want to get arrested so I went to leave.

"As I was exiting, a police officer grabbed me and pulled me to the ground.

"I had a bad back at the time and didn't resist arrest at all, but I didn't want my back to get hurt.

"They kicked and kneed me. They both hit me quite hard. It was completely unnecessary.

"It was absolutely appalling treatment. I didn't deserve it. I just wanted to help."

The incident happened at the Body Fuel convenience store, in Kingsley Park Terrace, in Northampton on January 28 last year.

Geoff had got to know the owners because they frequently visited the cafe next door where his wife Michelle, 35, worked.

It is claimed the bailiffs were chasing a debt for the previous owners, but the new owners are Indian and had poor English.

They asked Geoff to translate and mediate but the situation soon spiraled out of control.

He said: "I was just trying to mediate between them and be helpful. But they just weren't prepared to talk to me at all.

"There was obvious confusion. I tried to explain that it's not their debt but I was told to leave. The shop owners had letters to prove it.

"I felt I had a right to be there because I was helping out. They accused me of interfering and said I had no business to be there."

Police ordered Geoff to leave the store or face being taken into custody and he was bundled to the floor and arrested.

He was kept in custody until later that evening and, when released, went to hospital with chest pains.

Geoff claims A&E doctors at Northampton General Infirmary told him he had suspected broken ribs, but was not given an x-ray.

He says he also suffered cuts and bruises to the head, hands and face during the arrest.

Geoff was found not guilty of one charge of assaulting a police officer at Wellingborough Magistrates Court on January 22 this year.

He lodged a complaint with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) shortly after he was arrested.

"The complaints process is very slow and quite frustrating," he said. "It hasn't finished yet and is still ongoing.

"But they have said it's clear I showed no aggression. I want something to be done about it."

Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: “A complaint from a 40-year-old man was recorded five days after an incident which occurred on January 28, 2018.

"An internal investigation into the circumstances of this complaint could not begin until a subsequent court case had concluded, so as not to undermine the legal proceedings.

“Now these proceedings are complete, the complaint will be investigated fully by the force’s Professional Standards Department, in line with the College of Policing’s Code of Ethics and relevant statutory guidance.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further while a complaint investigation is ongoing.”

Three lanes are closed on the M1 Northbound near Northampton ahead of the hometime commute this evening.

The M1 Northbound between J15A and J18 is experiencing long delays of up to 30 minutes after a road traffic accident.

Only the left-hand lane is open as of 4:40pm. The accident is expected to be cleared up by 5:45pm.

Forwards Jack Hughes and Emmanuel Iyogun have put pen to paper on their first full-time contracts after impressing as a part of the Junior Academy this season.

Backs Ollie Newman, Josh Gillespie and Tommy Freeman will also graduate from the Under-18s side and join the Senior Academy over the summer.

And with a number of Academy graduates such as James Grayson, Alex Mitchell, Fraser Dingwall and George Furbank – among others – breaking into the first-team ranks this season, Academy manager Simon Sinclair is also delighted with this year’s intake.

“We’re really excited to be welcoming five guys into the Senior Academy for next year,” Sinclair said.

“This season we’ve had an opportunity to see lots of players within our environment and it’s all about developing individuals for us, supporting them on and off the field and giving them the best possible experience.

“Every time you see an Academy product make their debut in the first team it’s a proud moment for Mark Hopley, myself, and everyone who works within our Academy group.

“We’ve seen a host of guys make their Premiership debuts this season, and it makes our job just that much easier when the guys are coming in and they know they are going to get opportunities within the first-team environment if they are good enough.”

Gillespie has already featured for the first team this season, coming off the bench against Wasps in the Premiership Rugby Cup clash at the Ricoh Arena after also playing in the Premiership Rugby 7s last summer.

But Sinclair believes Saints supporters should be excited about all five new recruits, with their talent evident throughout the Under-18s campaign.

He said: “Jack Hughes is an excellent prop already; he’s 6ft 2in, really elusive around the park and keen to work hard on his scrummaging.

“Manny Iyogun has been playing at No.8 for us in the Under-18s and is a big, ball-carrying lad, and we’re keen to transition him into the front row – a bit like we did with Toby Trinder a few years ago.

“Ollie Newman hasn’t played much this year as he’s had a shoulder injury, but we have really high hopes for him as he’s quick off the base and cuts some lovely lines.

“A few Saints supporters will have seen Josh Gillespie play already in the cup side and at the sevens last summer. He’s quick and powerful and we hope will become a top-quality winger, although he’s played for us a bit at outside centre.

“And then Tommy Freeman has come from slightly off the radar; he’s at Moulton College and we picked him up midway through this year. He’s a great footballer, so we’re looking forward to seeing him involved.”

Emergency services are currently at the base of the tower along Tower Square and Park Corner.

People living nearby have reported that a person has fallen from inside the tower, although this has not been confirmed by the emergency services.

An air ambulance has landed at the Beacon Bingo in St James nearby, but it is not known if the two incidents are related.

Northamptonshire Police has been contacted for a comment.

Cobblers boss Keith Curle admits it took ‘a little bit of time’ for players to buy into his methods but, now that they are, the team are reaping the rewards on the pitch.

From losing 4-0 at home to Colchester United just a month ago and lingering seven points above relegation, the Cobblers have recorded victories at Tranmere Rovers, Stevenage and Crewe Alexandra, in addition to a draw with league leaders Lincoln City and a home stalemate against Crawley Town.

That run of results has steered them well clear of the bottom two and in with a strong shout of grabbing a top half finish in League Two, possibly even close to the play-offs should they end the season strongly.

But why have Town suddenly found their form? “When you walk into a football club, you’re trying to create a new environment and a new culture and it doesn’t happen overnight,” said Curle.

“Sometimes you need to bring in new personnel and sometimes there needs to be an adjustment of personnel already in the building. The buying in of players and the understanding of the little intricacies that I try to implement, sometimes it takes players a little bit of time to adhere to them, naturally.

“What you want is to get a collection of players buying into it and then that spreads and it takes away the anxiety, the nervousness and we try to make it as simple as possible.

“These are the guidelines and these are the focuses that are needed and it’s spreading. The environment is growing and more people are buying into it. They get a rest but the work ethic when they come in is very pleasing.”

Things could have turned ugly after the defeat to Colchester but, instead, it’s been a springboard for Town’s best period of the season, which included Saturday’s accomplished win at Crewe Alexandra.

“We analyse games over 94, 95 minutes,” added Curle. “We don’t just focus on the scoreline. Scorelines are obviously important but the performances of individuals and as a collective are also important.

“Within that game against Colchester, there’d have been no complaints had it finished 4-4 or 4-2 to us. We don’t beat ourselves up because of the scoreline, although of course we don’t like getting beat.

“On Saturday, we were given a foundation to build off and the defensive element of the team was spot on.

“Daniel Powell, Sam Hoskins, JJ and Marvin Sordell were integral parts of the defensive shape that we wanted to build from and that shows good understanding, good willingness and good desire to be a part of a defensive team when we’re out of possession, knowing that those players have got licence to express themselves once we do get on the ball.”

Sara Whatley, 37, of Higham Ferres, has to travel every other week to receive treatment at the oncology ward at Charing Cross Hospital after she was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in early December.

The diagnoses was picked up on during her pregnancy and she is now undergoing 14 weeks of treatment.

Husband and wife Tim and Katie O'Neill, from East Hunsbury, along with Bethany Harris and Michelle Ryan, from Milton Keynes, hosted a charity head shave on Friday night at the Garibaldi Hotel to raise money for the ward where Sara is being treated.

SEE MORE: Gallery shows four friends undergo head shave for best pal with ovarian cancer

Katie said: "March is ovarian cancer awareness month so we kicked it off with a bang and we let cancer know that it can't mess with our girl.

"It was a really good night. It was just amazing. We estimated between the raffle sales and the JustGiving page we have about £3,000.

"We have definitely tripled our original target. We are so thrilled, we could not be happier. The pub was absolutely packed to the rafters."

Katie and Sara worked together as optical assistants back in 2000 at Specsavers and have stayed friends for nearly 20 years.

Katie has gone on to become Sara's maid of honour and the godmother to her baby daughter.

Talking about the head shave Katie joked: "I can now get ready in record time. I've had lots of compliments. I have had people say I look like Sinéad O'Connor, that's great."

Katie's hair was donated to The Little Princess Trust who make wigs for children facing chemotherapy.

"I would do it all again in a heart beat”, she added.

"I have never done anything like this before.

"I have never even had remotely short hair before, actually it's come out quite lovely."

Katie Paton, Second on if The Bophins and The Wax Lyrical Sound all performed on the evening before a raffle draw took place with lots of prizes donated by local companies.

Funds from the raffle will be donated to Imperial Health Charity and the JustGiving page money will be handed over to Charing Cross Research Department.

If you want to donate to the friends' JustGiving page, click here.

Chris Boyd expects Saints' game against Bristol Bears to be 'free-flowing' at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday.

The boss knows his side will face a very different challenge against the Bears after last Saturday's 36-17 defeat at Saracens.

Bristol come to Northampton on a high, having ended a long wait for a win against rivals Gloucester at Ashton Gate last Friday.

And it will be another big game for both sides as the middle section of the Gallagher Premiership continues to look extremely tight, with two points between fifth and ninth.

"We can't hide from the fact that we were well beaten last Saturday but we face a very different beast against Bristol this weekend," Boyd said.

"Bristol play a genuine game of space whereas Saracens play very much a clinical game in contact so it's completely different fit for us.

"Both us and Bristol are prepared to chance our arm - there's no doubt about that.

"Both sides play pretty open football and both sides can battle with physicality when they can't get their game going.

"It's two pretty similar sides and I don't know whether it will be a high scorer - that will depend on how the defences go - but it will certainly be free-flowing."

Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Mike Hallam, had estimated that fly-tipping had reduced by 10 per cent when speaking at a recent scrutiny meeting.

But the latest figures now published by the council show that it’s in fact down by 14 per cent.

Between June 2017 and January 2018, the council received a total of 21,704 reports of fly-tipping. But in the same months the following year, ending in January 2019, that number had decreased to 18,614.

Veolia took over the council's environmental services contract in June last year.

The figures have been welcomed by Councillor Hallam, but he maintains that the problem is worse in some areas, where there remains room for improvement.

He said: “It’s going down and we’re heading in the right direction, but there’s a lot more to be done. It still needs to be improved in some areas and we’ve got schemes coming up which will help us focus on that.”

The schemes include a three-month trial where the price of using the bulky waste removal services has been reduced from £25 to £15, while there will be an upcoming trial for the use of clear recycling sacks in Far Cotton, which will replace the recyclable containers.

The next two to three months are typically the busiest time of the year for fly-tipping in Northampton, Councillor Hallam added.

At the start of February, a black film of dirt lined almost all of the flooring in the 75-year-old man's home in Delapre. His furniture was in a state of disrepair and he watched his favourite shows on a flickering pink television in the corner of his living room.

But after a welfare officer from Northampton Partnership Homes put him in touch with a charitable neighbour, Jackie Streeton, his future has started to look much brighter.

Mum-of-three Jackie was so shocked when she first entered his house at the start of February - she launched a Facebook campaign for people to donate him goods.

And the response has been remarkable.

Within a fortnight the man's bungalow had been decked out with carpets, a three-piece suite, pots and pans and cupboards full of food. During that time Jackie scrubbed the place from top to bottom while a friend tidied his overgrown garden.

"I just put this call out on Facebook asking whether anyone could donate to this man," said Jackie. "I kept his identity a secret.

"But I was overwhelmed at the result.

"I had people offering to carpet his house, some people bought him a three-piece suite - one lady got him a reclining chair.

"He keeps saying to me 'am I dreaming'?"

Jackie, 57, first put out the appeal on the Sharing the Kindness Facebook page has also seen an iron, a vegetable steamer and a wardrobe full of clothes donated to the man - whose home is now barely recognisable from three weeks ago.

His pink television has also been replaced with a small flatscreen.

"I just want to thank people for all their donations," continued Jackie. "All for an elderly gentleman they have never met.

"He is now settled, he still has some issues, which we are dealing with. But time will tell.

"His qualiy of life is much improved."

Jackie, who works as an emergency care assistant, and her friends have vowed to carry on visiting the man who preffered not to be identified.

At least four fire engines and an ambulance were called out to Tower Square after the accident at around 4:35pm yesterday (March 4).

An air ambulance was also spotted landing in the car park at Beacon Bingo in St James and is believed to be related.

An eyewitness reported the man who fell was a worker but this has not been confirmed.

He was taken to hospital by air ambulance with suspected spinal injuries, but these are not believed to be life-threatening.

The case has been passed to the Health and Safety Executive for investigation.

Northamptonshire Police has been contacted for a comment.

Brit and Ivor Novello Award winning singer songwriter KT Tunstall is back at Royal & Derngate next wee as part of her UK and Ireland tour.

The singer released her sixth studio album WAX in October.

The LP was produced by Nick McCarthy, founding member of Franz Ferdinand, with co-production from duo MyRiot.

It also features co-writing contributions from her frequent creative collaborator Martin Terefe and Kings Of Leon producer/ mentor Angelo Petraglia.

Drumming duties were from seasoned LA-based musician Denny Weston Jnr and guitar from longstanding friend and collaborator Charlotte Hatherley among others, with KT on guitar, synths and vocals throughout.

Following the success of 2016’s Top 10 album KIN, WAX is the second of a trilogy which explores themes of spirit, body, and mind.

This album focuses on the body, and our complex relationships with physicality.

KT Tunstall emerged in 2004 with Eye To The Telescope.

She has since released a further four critically acclaimed albums and her songs have been used everywhere from the opening credits of The Devil Wears Prada to Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign theme.

Recently, KT has been awarded the Inspirational Artist gong at the Women In Music Awards and was chosen as the first ever female Grand Marshal to lead the annual New York Tartan Week parade.

Last year, she and Mike McCready, of legendary multimillion selling Pearl Jam, released a cover of Tom Petty’s huge hit single I Won’t Back Down with proceeds going to Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy Foundation.

KT has spent last summer touring worldwide with the likes of The Pretenders, Simple Minds and Barenaked Ladies.

For this tour, she is heading out with an-female band for the first time.

She headlines Royal & Derngate on Tuesday, March 12.

Tickets are on sale now and cost £30.50 for standing or from £20.50 for seating. VIP packages are available for £109 before fees.

For more details visit www.kttunstall.com and www.royalandderngate.co.uk

The original Cockney Rebel Steve Harley is bringing his acoustic trio to The Core next weekend.

Steve will be accompanied by his long-standing Cockney Rebel band-mates, Barry Wickens (violin & guitar) and James Lascelles (piano and percussion) at the Corby venue on Saturday, March 9.

The set will be built around tracks from any or all 13 of Steve’s original albums and will include favourites like Mr Soft, Judy Teen, Mr Raffles, Sebastian, and the world-wide hit, Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me).

Talking about the tour, Harley said: “Playing the songs in an acoustic format gives me time and space to enjoy every second.

“And we improvise, which is always a big excitement for any musician.

“We can loosen off the arrangements and really explore. It gets pretty exciting during the acoustic sets”.

Music is from 7.30pm, tickets cost £28.50 before fees and available by calling 01536 470 470 or online at www.thecorecorby.com

Rockabilly trio Rockin’Em are teaming up with singer Colin Paul for a show at AJ’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Club in May.

The Kettering band have been playing across the world for more than 10 years and based around the father son combo of guitarist Kev Marlow and double bassist Dion Marlow.

Singer Paul specialises in material by Elvis Presley and performs at all of the large Elvis events around the world.

The event is on Friday, May 3, at Irthlingborough Town Band Club in Victoria Street.

Doors open at 7pm, tickets cost £8 and are available in advance or on the night.

For more details, visit http://rockinem.weebly.com/the-band.html