Village where woman was murdered considers PCSO

The Brantham community was left in shock when resident Anita Rose was murdered while walking her dog last year

New safety measures are being considered in a village where a woman was murdered while walking her dog.

Anita Rose, 57, was brutally attacked in Brantham, Suffolk, last July, and she died four days later in hospital.

Roy Barclay, 56, of no fixed address, was found guilty of her murder and sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 25 years, at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday.

Following Ms Rose's death, residents expressed safety fears that prompted Brantham Parish Council to consider helping fund a police community support officer (PCSO), chairman Mal Bridgeman said.

Mal Bridgeman praised Suffolk Police in their investigations of Anita Rose's murder

Bridgeman said the community had been "shocked and saddened" by Ms Rose's death.

Asked about how villagers felt at the time, he said: "There was an admiration for the work that the police did, and I think there were times where the feeling was, would they ever catch who did it?

"There was a resilience shown amongst the people in the village, quite a lot of fear because whilst the individual was out there, could it happen again?"

Anita Rose died after being attacked while walking her dog near Brantham, Suffolk

The council launched a safety survey, which received 102 responses.

Results of this revealed 14% of people felt somewhat unsafe when out in the village, while just 1% of people said they felt very unsafe.

The top concern listed was anti-social behaviour, followed by road safety and then walking alone.

A total of 44% of respondents said an increased police presence would make them feel safer.

Bridgeman said the council was now looking to set up an informal buddy system for people to walk together, as well as possibly getting a PCSO.

"Across the range, people are super enthusiastic because the concept of a local bobby appeals to virtually everybody," he continued.

"There are other people who have a slightly negative view about the cost-benefit of it and who think it might be a waste of time.

"So we've just got to weigh that up and figure out where we stand."

Abi Edevane said she used to see Anita Rose walking her dog around Brantham

Abi Edevane, who is also on the parish council, said the murder had meant she did not walk early in the morning anymore.

"Fingers crossed it's never going to happen again," she said.

"We do live in a nice area, and I'd like to think that we are safe.

"We've got a very good parish council and we are really dedicated to try and make sure people feel safe in the village."

Melvin Amos said when he grew up it was common to have a local police officer

Melvin Amos, a local resident, said he would like to see a local officer, but he did believe Brantham was safe.

"The police were pretty good, but we haven't got a local police officer, not in Brantham," he said.

"You have to call Ipswich or Colchester, and they come out. Manningtree is the nearest one.

"We always used to have [an officer] when I was a youngster."

Roy Barclay was jailed for a minimum of 25 years for the murder of Anita Rose

Insp Naomi Lofthouse said she understood the community's concerns and said an "extensive" amount of police work was conducted during the investigation.

"As the locality inspector for Brantham, I also worked closely with parish chair Mal Bridgeman, particularly during the uncertain times before the arrest and charge of Roy Barclay," she said.

"As a constabulary, we work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure people feel safe and we encourage members of the public to talk to us about any concerns."

She added she hoped that following Barclay's sentencing the community could "start to feel more reassured".

Tim Passmore, Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, said he understood the concerns and that the village "needed reassurance".

"Other villages have done this in the past so I will certainly take that back and look at it with senior officers, and would be happy to come and meet people in Brantham to discuss if that is what they would like," he added.

He estimated that funding a PCSO could cost about £45,000 a year.