Police chief rules homeless camp out of murder inquiry

Sussex Police's district commander for Crawley says the death of a man found with head injuries was not connected to a nearby homeless camp.
Chief Inspector Justina BeekenChief Inspector Justina Beeken
Chief Inspector Justina Beeken

A 45-year-old Portuguese man was found seriously injured in an alleyway between Stephenson Way and Haslett Avenue East at 3.25am on Sunday (January 19) and died that afternoon.

Three men and a woman, all from Crawley, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and are in custody being questioned by police.

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Chief Inspector Justina Beeken said: “I would like to reassure the community that we believe this incident is a one-off.

Police searching the scene in Three Bridges where a man was found with serious injuries. He later died. (Pic by Jon Rigby)Police searching the scene in Three Bridges where a man was found with serious injuries. He later died. (Pic by Jon Rigby)
Police searching the scene in Three Bridges where a man was found with serious injuries. He later died. (Pic by Jon Rigby)

“Although there have been a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour and street drinking in the area, it is very rare for there to be any violence there.

“We continue to work with the council, the Three Bridges Forum, the homeless people in the area and outreach services to try to deal with the issues in the area and to reduce the effect they can have on the rest of the community.

“There is still work to be done but the issues are being dealt with.”

Anyone with information about the death should call 101 quoting Operation Atlas, email [email protected] or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.