Northamptonshire Police has launched an investigation into claims its officers released MP Cyril Smith after indecent images of children were found in the boot of his car

Labour MP Simon Danczuk wrote in a book published this year that Mr Smith, who died in 2010, was released from police custody after he was stopped on the M1 in Northamptonshire during the 1980s.

Mr Danczuk said officers allowed Mr Smith to continue his journey after he made a telephone call to an unidentified third party in London.

The book claims that the indecent of images of children found in the boot of his car disappeared after he was taken to the police station.

Northamptonshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet, said today that detectives in the Cold Case unit were investigating Mr Danczuk’s claims.

He said: “We are aware of the allegations that have been published in Simon Danczuk’s book and in the newspapers.

“Detectives in Northamptonshire Police’s Cold Case Team are currently making inquiries to establish the nature of the circumstances surrounding the disclosures made in the book.

“We would encourage anyone who knows anything about the claims in the book relating to alleged events in Northamptonshire to come forward and tell us.”

A 28-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder following a serious assault on a woman in Northamptonshire.

Riza Guzelyurt, 28, of no fixed address, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of an offensive weapon and witness intimidation in relation to an assault on a woman on Thursday morning.

He appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court this morning and was remanded in custody until April 8, for a hearing at Northampton Crown Court.

He was arrested yesterday following an incident in Coltsfoot Road, where a 41-year-old woman from Rushden was stabbed.

The victim was taken by air ambulance to University Hospital Coventry where she remains in a serious but stable condition.

Officers investigating the incident are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them.

Detective Inspector Ali Farr said: “A man has been arrested and charged with this offence; however, as part of the ongoing investigation, we are appealing for information and would particularly like to speak to anyone who may have any knowledge about the recent whereabouts of Riza Guzelyurt. Please call police on 101 if you have any information.

“We believe this to be an isolated incident and local officers are carrying out extra patrols in the area to help reassure the local community.”

Anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

A motorcyclist has died following a collision with a white tipper truck in Danes Camp Way, Northampton.

The 45-year-old rider, from Northampton, was involved in a collision with a truck at about 2.15pm on Wednesday.

He was taken to University Hospital Coventry and died as a result of his injuries in the early hours of today (Friday).

A man was arrested in connection with the accident and has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Witnesses to the collision or anyone with information is asked to call the ‘Drivewatch Hotline’ on 0800 174615.

A large tank belonging to a Northamptonshire firm was part of an elaborate stunt outside the BBC headquarters this afternoon to protest over the suspension of Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson.

The army vehicle, which brandishes the logo of Helmdon firm Tanks Alot, has been seen driving through the capital today in order to hand a petition just shy of one million signatures to BBC bosses in support of the cult car show’s host, who was suspended last week following a ‘fracas’ with a producer.

A man dressed as The Stig, an enigmatic helmet-wearing ‘tamed’ racing driver who features in Top Gear, has handed the petition in at Broadcasting House, in Marleybone, London.

The stunt, organised by political blog Guido Fawkes, aims to see Clarkson reinstated and has gathered one million names on the petition in just over a week.

Harry Cole, a writer for the Guido Fawkes website told the Chronicle and Echo that the popular blog wanted to ‘park a tank on the lawn of the BBC’ to voice its dissent over the presenter’s suspension and had heard of Tanks Alot because the Nothamptonshire firm had been involved in other publicity stunts in the past.

“It has gone brilliantly,” he added. “The people that hate Clarkson are upset about it and the people that love him are thrilled about it.”

However, organisers almost had to call the stunt off when the tank broke down just short of its intended destination.

Tanks Alot offers tank experience days and driving lessons from its headquarters at Spring Farm, Welsh Lane, Helmdon.

A new £8.5 million innovation centre in Northampton that will provide office accommodation and meeting rooms for businesses, charities and community organisations is set to open next month.

The innovation centre, situated opposite Northampton Railway Station features 42 office units, a cafe and conference space and will be run by the University of Northampton.

Tenants of the centre will be given access to specialist University of Northampton business support to help them measure and develop their social value.

Helen Willmott, marketing and project manager for commercial services at the university, said: “The Innovation Centre exists to support enterprises to develop and operate their business in a socially responsible manner and deliver social benefits, which will benefit Northampton and the wider region.

“I would encourage those involved with, or thinking of starting, any business venture that delivers social impact to contact the team at the Innovation Centre, to find out more about the benefits of taking a tenancy here.”

Nine organisations have already signed up for a space in the innovation centre, including Enterprise Solutions Northamptonshire (ESN), an independent social enterprise and co-operative development agency.

Mike Tiller, agency manager for ESN, said: “While we weren’t actively seeking to relocate, as soon as we visited the Innovation Centre we knew it was the perfect place for us to operate from.

“The fact the centre has other social enterprises under the same roof is also very attractive to us – it’s going to be a real hub of activity.”

Another tenant is the charity Zimwomen Association, which aims to empower and support vulnerable women, young people and children.

Rutendo Nyatsine, founder and chairperson of the association, said: “Taking a space at the Innovation Centre means we can set up a dedicated one-stop shop for young people in a central location. We can use the meeting rooms to run workshops and training sessions which help young people secure employment.

“The presence of the other organisations under the same roof is also a huge positive for us. There may be scope for their staff to share their knowledge with the young people via workshops, and they may also be able to offer work experience and internships which could help lead to paid employment.”

To find out more about the Innovation Centre, visit www.northamptoninnovationcentre.co.uk, or call 01604 779011.

Thieves have stolen a number of pieces of specialist equipment from a dentists in Northamptonshire.

Sometime between 3.30pm on Wednesday, March 11, and 9.45am the following day, the Steinbeck Dental Surgery in New Street, Daventry, was broken into.

The thieves took a number of pieces of specialist equipment which could only be used by dentists.

The items taken included compressors and washers made by Melag and Cattani.

Witnesses, or anyone who is offered the equipment for sale, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

A Stagecoach bus in Northamptonshire was hit by stones and rocks by a gang of four boys.

The group of four, who were all aged between 12 and 14, threw stones and rocks at the Stagecoach bus in Jean Road, Kettering, at about 5.40pm on Tuesday this week.

After attacking the bus, one of the boys drove off on a scooter to the nearby allotments.

He was white with brown hair and was wearing a grey hooded top.

One of the other boys was also white and wore a blue hooded top.

Witnesses, or anyone who recognises the people in the attached images, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

A recruitment drive in Northampton resuming today will see an insurance firm bid to find 50 new employees.

The fourth student-led Sucessorize employment fair at the Guildhall started yesterday a host of major firms bidding to find new workers.

One of the companies, Northampton-based Staysure, is attempting to take on up to 50 full and part-time permanent ‘sales agents’ in its travel insurance division over the two days.

Cosmetics firm Avon, local government resources manager LGSS and OPUS energy are also among the firms recruiting.

Successorize organiser Ted Rosewall said: “It is an annual chance to get involved with your first steps into the workplace.

“This event aims to help its attendees gain crucial employment skills and realise opportunities available to them through a range of workshops culminating in an exciting ‘employer carousel’ session, focussing on using the skills learnt throughout the event with a range of employers.”

The Successorize event is to run from 9.30am until 4pm at The Guildhall today and aims to introduce student leavers and young people to local employers.

HR Manager at Staysure, Sarah Charman, said: “We’re thrilled to be part of Successorize 2015 and working with local jobseekers.

“We urge anyone who is thinking of coming along and looking for an exciting career with full training to talk to us at the two day event.”

A Northampton woman who organised her own 100th birthday has spent the morning getting ready at a mini celebration event at one of the town’s newest salons.

Ellen Matthews, from Wootton, turned 100 on Tuesday and will be marking the milestone with a party at Wootton Community Centre tonight in the company of more than 100 friends and family members from around the country.

She said: “There will be music and food and dancing until midnight - but I will probably go home around 10 o’clock as I get a bit tired.”

Mrs Matthews, who now has a six-month-old great-great-grandniece, first moved to Stoke Goldington at two years old, when she was evacuated from London as an orphan during the First World War with her brother. She said: “I had a band around my arm saying where I had to be put, and we moved in with a widow who was very strict and religious. I never knew my parents and my father was already away fighting, but when I was born my grandmother sent him a message to say that he had had a lovely ginger-headed baby girl.”

At 14 she was offered a place at college to study nursing and “domestic training” and at 17 was given her first job taking care of a severly disabled five-year-old boy, during which time she met her soon-to-be first husband, Alfred Garlick.

Mrs Matthews said: “He worked at the farm next door and he seemed like a big strong man, very blonde, and he always used to whistle at me.”

The pair were married for 27 years before they divorced and had two children together: Beryl and Donald.

Mrs Matthews’ career as a nurse took her across the East Midlands, including a placement working at Northampton General Hospital (NGH) taking care of premature and thalidomide-affected babies, and the south coast. She then returned to Northampton to run care homes around the town where she met her second husband, former Navy sailor and Chronicle and Echo foreman, Wally Matthews.

“Wally used to come to the care home to put on games for the residents and visitors,” she said, “We had both turned 60 and were quite lonely, and one day he asked me to the cinema. A year later we were married.”

Wally passed away in February 1995, but Mrs Matthews has kept herself busy with her family, friends and favourite hobby: painting.

She said: “I was recently named Northampton’s oldest painter in the Chron. I love to paint the sea, especially crashing waves, and I also enjoy flower arranging - I think that’s related to my autism.

“But I enjoy life, and I enjoy people. Over the years I have done a lot of things and travelled a lot. The most memorable trip was when I went to Rome and saw the Pope in St Peter’s square. It was raining, but there were so many people that you couldn’t even fall over.

“Yet, at heart, I am a country person and I have very lovely memories of holidays on the canal with my second husband, seeing all the animals and nature in the summer.

“I suppose I still have a lot I can learn and I hope to continue being able to enjoy life with the people around me. The only thing I cannot master is anything to do with online technology; sometimes I feel like I am living in a different planet because everything has changed. It’s not the same world as I used to know.”

Mrs Matthews has been preparing for her party today by having her hair and nails done at Shades salon in Gold Street in Northampton town centre, where the entire staff team greeted her with balloons, cake and even a red carpet at the entrance.

Her daughter Beryl, aged 78, also came along and said: “Mother is even fitter than I am and I am so proud of her.”

Mrs Matthews said she was very much looking forward to tonight’s event and listening to some of her favourite music, including Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley.

Northampton’s oldest members club, the Northampton and County Club in George row, has a new chairman.

Jim Shuttlewood, aged 61, has taken the chair at the club which opened in 1873.

The operations manager with shoe company Crockett & Jones, said: “We plan to offer a more varied organisation with numerous new societies to appeal to a wider cross section of local business people.

“We have appointed a new chef, we will soon be appointing a new manager and with our 150th anniversary fast approaching, there will be busy times ahead.”

Among many distinguished past chairman at George row were the late Lord Hesketh and members have included legendary rugby player and soldier Edgar Mobbs and numerous international cricketers.

The building dates back to the 14th century and was burnt down in the 1675 Great Fire of Northampton.

The medieval cellars remain intact and the club is planning to introduce escorted ghost tours.

Spicy food lovers are being sought to take part in a searing hot eating competition as part of a Northampton curry house’s bid to find a new chilli champion.

Saffron, based on Castilian Street in the town is looking for people to take part in its second ‘Chilli Challenge’, which was last year won by Mears Ashby man Dean Alexander.

The contest required four competitors to eat three raw ‘naga’ chillies followed by a serving of Saffron’s chicken naga.

Mr Alexander, 34, ate the lot in 32.5 seconds, and the restaurant has thrown the gauntlet down to spicy food lovers to have a go at beating his time in 2015.

Saffron owner Naz Islam said: “Our naga chillies are seriously hot.

“We have them imported from Bangladesh and they are packed with heat and flavour, they make the ones you buy in the supermarkets over here taste like sweets.

“The times the guys recorded last year were incredible, but we’re confident we can do even better this time around.”

The 2015 Chilli Challenge will be held at Saffron at 12pm on Tuesday, April 14.

Naga chillies can register up to 1,000,000 on the Scoville scale, the global measurement of chilli heat.

A typical scotch bonnet chilli weighs in at around 200,000 Scovilles while a jalepeno is just 5,000 in comparison.

To register your interest in taking part in the 2015 Chilli Challenge, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SaffronNorthampton.

A man armed with a knife grabbed a girl from behind a threatened her as she walked through a underpass in Northamptonshire.

The girl was walking out of the underpass near to Lloyds Road in Corby at about 5.15pm yesterday (Sunday) when she was grabbed from behind by a man who held a knife to her throat and told her to give him everything she had.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: “He then searched through her handbag and stole some tobacco.

“Fortunately, the girl then managed to pull herself away and punched the man in the face before running away.”

He was mixed race, about 6ft 6in, slim, with broad shoulders.

He was wearing a black puffa-style jacket, grey tracksuit bottoms, white Nike Air Max trainers and a red and black bandana over the lower part of his face.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Former Northampton Town Football Club captain Clarke Carlisle has admitted drink-driving two days before he attempted to take his own life, a court in London has heard.

The 35-year-old, who played for Cobblers between 2011 and 2013, appeared at London’s Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court today facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to provide a sample and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence on December 20 last year.

He pleaded guilty to all three offences and will now be sentenced on Thursday, May 14.

On December 22, the former Professional Footballers’ Association chairman was hit by a lorry on the A64 just outside York and remained in intensive care throughout Christmas.

It later emerged that he had tried to take his own life.

Carlisle, who remained in a coma until mid-January and could be seen outside of court still bearing scars from the suicide attempt, has been banned from driving following his guilty plea.

Two motorbikes have been stolen from a garage in Northamptonshire.

A black Yamaha Jog scooter and a yellow off-road Suzuki RM 250 were stolen after thieves broke into a garage in Linden Avenue in Kettering.

The Yamaha had a red seat and red left handle grip, with two distinctive stickers on each side – ‘Rock Oil’ and ‘Shoei’. The bike had no light and was modified for daytime use.

The Suzuki had ‘Dunlop’ stickers on the forks and a ‘Fox’ sticker on the mudguard.

The burglary happened sometime between 10pm on Sunday 15 March and 6.30am on Monday March 16.

Witnesses to the burglary, or anyone with information about the stolen bikes, are asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

An accident on the M1 in Northamptonshire caused long delays for drivers this morning.

One lane was closed earlier this morning following a crash in the roadworks area between junction 17 to junction 18 at Crick.

All lanes have now reopened and traffic has returned to normal.

A crash closed part of the A45 in Northampton this morning.

Emergency services closed two lanes of the A45 Nene Valley Way northbound between Brackmills and Barnes Meadow Interchange because of an accident earlier this morning.

The incident caused long delays.

All lanes have now reopened and traffic has returned to normal.

Thieves broke into a van parked in Duston last night and stole tools.

The van was broken into in Westfield Road, Duston, between 7.30pm and 8.30pm last night (Monday).

Tools were stolen from the blue Peugeot Boxer van.

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with any information to call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A new hub, which has been added to Northampton’s Cycle CoNNect bicycle hire scheme, is set to open this week.

The new docking site in Kingsthorpe will be unveiled on Friday (March 27), taking the total number of sites in the town to 10.

This marks the completion of the first phase of the Northamptonshire County Council-led scheme, which has seen 800 users sign up since it was first launched in July last year.

More than 3,000 journeys have been made on the bikes, which cost £1 per hour to hire.

Councillor Michael Clarke, county council cabinet member for transport, highways and environment, said: “I’m delighted that Cycle CoNNect is going from strength to strength and its popularity has endured, even through the cold, dark winter months.

“Monthly data reports show the scheme is a notable success and has exceeded results from comparable schemes elsewhere in the country at the same lifecycle stages.

“Cycling has many benefits, but I would urge people to wear a cycle helmet on their journeys as evidence shows that they can greatly reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of a collision and also wear a high-viz jacket.”

Hire costs £1 up to one hour, then £1 for each additional hour up to a maximum of £5 per day. However initially, as a promotional offer, the first 30 minutes of each journey are free of charge.

Registration is free, though on registration, users have to add an initial £3 of credit to their account, which will remain in place until they use it for rentals. The hire system is entirely automatic and the bicycles are available to hire at any time of the day, seven days a week.

The county council and highways service provider KierWSP in partnership with Northampton Borough Council, Brackmills Estate and the University of Northampton, have worked on the £150k initiative, which is being delivered by Hourbike.

The next phase of the initiative will be to increase the number of hubs on the network and secure sponsorship so that the scheme can moves towards being self-funded.

The fill list of Cycle CoNNect hubs are located in:

Town centre, Wood Hill

Northampton Station

Midsummer Meadow

Becket’s Park

University of Northampton, Avenue Campus

University of Northampton, Park Campus

Brackmills, Pavilion Drive

Brackmills, Salthouse Road

Brackmills, Gowerton Road

Kingsthorpe, Harborough Road

For more details please visit: www.cycleconnect.co.uk

Businesses in Northamptonshire have been given the opportunity to bid for a share of a new £79 million grant to help support local growth and jobs.

The pot has been secured by South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) and will be available to support all sorts of areas, such as low carbon initiatives, competitiveness and innovation.

It is one of the first regions in the country to take up the offer, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

The European Structural Investment Funding (ESIF) will be delivered over the next six years and is open to areas covered by SEMLEP, including Aylesbury, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Corby, Daventry, Kettering, Luton, Milton Keynes, Northampton and South Northamptonshire.

Councillor Peter Marland, SEMLEP Board Director and Leader of Milton Keynes Council, said: “SEMLEP has worked hard to secure European funding on this scale and it should be a real boost for our local economy.

“We have worked closely with all the relevant agencies and partners to be one of the first to launch this programme of funding to help projects in our area benefit from investment at the earliest opportunity.”

Funding available to bid for from today includes:

ERDF funding - This includes possible allocation of £6million for low carbon projects, £6million for proposals which look at ‘stimulating enterprise’ and ‘enhancing the competitiveness’ of small to medium sized businesses, £3.6million for projects which ‘strengthen and exploit innovation and knowledge assets’ and £3.4million for ‘buildings for growth’. The scheme requires applicants to provide 50 per cent match funding, which can be from either the public or private sector. Calls will be open for between four weeks and three months.

EAFRD funding: £825,000 has been earmarked for capital based grants for small to medium sized businesses in rural areas, with priority towards supporting our food and drink and tourism sectors.

ESF funding: £37million has been allocated to the South East Midlands.

Daniel Charles Mouawad, Chief Executive of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), said: “The funding launched today will benefit a wide range of projects across the South East Midlands that will help create jobs and stimulate the economy as well as support community and social initiatives.

“It demonstrates continued confidence from central government in the potential future growth in the South East Midlands and we would encourage all eligible organisations to consider applying for part of this funding support as soon as possible.”

For more information on all the European funding available in the South East Midlands visit: www.semlep.com/european-funding-2014-2020 or: www.gov.uk/england-2014-to-2020-european-structural-and-investment-funds-growth-programme

Nearly 350,000 drivers have parked free in Northampton on Saturdays in Northampton Borough Council’s four multi-story car parks since April 2014, it has been revealed.

The figures also show that 663,730 drivers have parked free for two hours on a weekday since the new initiative was introduced and 344,722 parked on Saturdays.

The car parks offering periods of free parking are St John’s, St Michael’s, the Mayorhold and the Grosvenor Centre.

A spokesman for Northampton Borough Council said: “The free parking offer is just one of a package of measures introduced to revitalise the town centre, including seasonal events, the reopening of Abington Street to traffic, free wi-fi and the Business Incentive Scheme, which offers grants to businesses to help them expand and grow.”

Councillor David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said: “Businesses told us they wanted to see more free parking and a simpler offer for motorists that would make the town centre more attractive to visitors. The numbers we are able to announce today show that the significant investment we have made in this scheme is paying off and we are encouraging many more people into the town.

“Free parking and the many other initiatives we have put in place are helping to boost the number of visitors and that is creating the right conditions for businesses to have confidence to invest and for the local economy to grow.”