Two arrests in Luton murder investigation

Two men have been arrested following the death of a man in Luton on Friday (14 April).  

Officers attending reports of an altercation on the junction of Hitchin Road and Hucklesby Way, Luton, found a man seriously injured in the road, having been stabbed.

The victim was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The man who has been formally identified as 19-year-old Derrick Kinyua of Crescent Road, Luton. His family continues to receive support from specialist officers.

On Monday (17 April) detectives arrested two 19-year-old men from Luton in connection to the incident, one on suspicion of murder and another on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The former remains in police custody for questioning, while the second man has been bailed.

A post mortem on Mr Kinyua carried out this week has confirmed he died due to stab wounds.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Khanna from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “We are making progress with our investigation and will continue to carry out lines of enquiry to establish the events that led to Mr Kinyua’s death.

“While we have made arrests in connection to the incident, we are continuing to appeal to the community for information.

“We continue strongly advising against members of the public circulating any footage or speculating about the circumstances surrounding this incident.

“It is distressing for recipients, and particularly, for Mr Kinyua’s family and friends.

“Any witnesses are also encouraged to get in touch.”

Anyone with information can call 101 or visit beds.police.uk/ro/report quoting Operation Syphon.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org

Recorded knife crime fell by around 14 per cent in Bedfordshire in 2022/23 compared to the previous year, while over 4,100 weapons were handed into the county’s weapons bins last year – the highest number on record.

For more information about knife crime or to get support visit bedsveru.org.