Julia James: Memorial plaque to murdered PCSO disappears

Kent Police say the plaque went missing from Aylesham market place between 18:30 GMT and 21:00 GMT on 16 May

A memorial plaque for murdered PCSO Julia James has disappeared, police say, as an investigation is launched.

Kent Police say the ceramic plaque, which was erected "in memory" of the mother-of-two, went missing on Monday.

It happened hours after Callum Wheeler was found guilty of murdering the police community support officer with a railway jack in April last year.

Officers say the plaque was reported to have been removed from the Miners' Wheel memorial in Aylesham, Kent.

They are investigating if any crimes have been committed.

Local resident Amy Restall, who made the plaque, visited the area to measure for a replacement.

Aylesham resident Amy Restall, who made the plaque, said she was disappointed it has vanished

Ms Restall said: "I'll make another one and I'll see if I can maybe fix it with cable ties to make it a little less easy to take. I shouldn't have to do that. The last one I made has been there for over a year.

"I'm disappointed because I made it, but for the family it must feel soul-destroying."

One Aylesham resident described the disappearance as "horrendous", and she didn't understand why the plaque had disappeared when it was part of a memorial to someone who was "loved by us all in the village".

The plaque has disappeared from its position on the Miners' Wheel Memorial in Market Place in Aylesham

Ch Insp Daniel Carter, Dover district commander, said: "Local officers remain in the area as part of their ongoing work with the community and I would like to thank residents for their continued support and encourage anyone with information about the plaque to get in touch with us."

Mrs James was found dead alongside her Jack Russell Toby in Ackholt Wood near her home in Snowdown.

The murder shocked the quiet, rural community, and sparked a vast and complex murder investigation.

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