Norwich murder victim named as 38-year-old Oliver Payne

The investigation into the murder in Paragon Place on Friday is continuing and police have provisionally identified the victim as Oliver Payne.

Officers swarmed the area near Grapes Hill at around 6.45pm after reports of the stabbing but despite the efforts of emergency services, the 38-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination was held on Sunday and while further tests are needed, preliminary findings show Mr Payne died of a single stab wound to the chest.

Forensics at the scene on Friday night (Image: Bruno Brown) The suspect is still on the run and over the weekend a heavy police presence remained in the area with much of the scene cordoned off.

Detectives are still piecing together a timeline of events and have spoken to witnesses, conducted house-to-house enquiries and gathered CCTV footage.

Senior investigating officer, detective inspector Sam Pontin, said: “I would like to thank the local community for their support with our investigation to date. Their contributions have been invaluable.

READ MORE: Norwich murder: Everything we know about the stabbing so far

“I would like to reiterate our appeal for anyone with information who has not yet spoken to us, to please get in touch.

"Our enquiries are progressing well and we will keep the community updated on the progress of this case.”

Police and civic leaders have appealed for calm after online speculation about the murder sparked fears that disorder seen in several cities could spread to Norfolk.

Police remained at the scene on Saturday morning (Image: Bruno Brown)

The stabbing comes at a febrile time across the UK with riots in a number of cities in the wake of the killing of three girls in Southport last week.

Several online posts about Friday’s murder have discussed it in the context of the wider disorder, with baseless speculation about who might be involved.

Mike Brown from the Norfolk Major Investigation Team said: “We are listening to the local community and appreciate how distressing the past few days will have been for them

"I want to reassure them that this was an isolated incident.

“We believe that those involved were known to each other with links through illegal drug use and we do not believe there is any wider risk to the general public.”

Detectives are continuing to appeal for witnesses who may have seen or heard any suspicious activity in the Paragon Place area to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Norfolk Constabulary by calling 101 or completing an online form and quoting reference 433 of August 2.