Dover District Council Leader, Cllr Trevor Bartlett, and I met with police teams investigating the murder of Julia James and thanked them for their work on the hunt for her murderer.
Mrs James was murdered on 27 April 2021 in Snowdown near Aylesham. The investigation has involved hundreds of officers from Kent Police, and other forces from around the country. In a shock development on Friday, the police arrested a man from the Canterbury area in connection with the murder.
On Saturday Cllr Bartlett and I were briefed on progress in the murder investigation from Dover District Commander, Chief Inspector Daniel Carter. We met with a number of police and specialists from all over the country at the Aylesham control room. And we also met members of the community support team from Dover District Council and Kent Police, laying a floral tribute to Mrs James in Aylesham’s market square.
This brutal murder has shocked the entire community. This has been and remains a massive police effort supported by specialist teams from all over the country. Kent Police have been working night and day, leaving no stone unturned in this investigation. On Saturday I visited the police control centre in Aylesham to thank them in person for their painstaking and tireless work to bring Julia’s killer to justice.
Together with council leader Cllr Trevor Bartlett, I paid a floral tribute to Julia thanking her for her police service to our community and country. I was deeply moved by the number of floral tributes and the messages in them. It is clear just how many people loved and admired Mrs James.
I also met with local residents and the community support team who are based in Market Square in Aylesham providing reassurance and support to the community.
As and when the detailed onsite work is completed in Snowdown and Aylesham, the District Commander has confirmed that there will be continuing community support in the area to reassure residents.
Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of Dover District Council said:
“Dover District Council’s community team, led by Brin Hill, have been working alongside Kent Police to provide reassurance and support to residents since Julia James’ murder. Chatting to residents on Saturday it was clear Julia was a much loved pillar of the local community and will be missed.
“As council leader, I am grateful to Dover District Council’s team who have been supporting the police work in Aylesham, Snowdown and neighbouring villages 7 days a week. They will continue to work with residents and the police to give assistance and help.”