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Julia James: Candles to be lit in memory of PCSO

Candles will be lit this evening for PCSO Julia James.

Bethan Coles, Mrs James’s daughter, has asked everyone to place candles on their doorsteps this evening at 7pm in memory of her mother.

“I’ve been thinking perhaps we could ask those who wish to remember my mum to light a candle for her and leave it on their doorstep”.

Justice for Julia

In a statement on Facebook Coles said: “A number of people have asked about holding a vigil for my mum, and whilst I am so grateful for people wanting to remember her, I am very conscious that any gathering would need to be policed.

“I’ve been thinking perhaps we could ask those who wish to remember my mum to light a candle for her and leave it on their doorstep.

“This would be a beautiful nod to my mum in a way that doesn’t intrude on the police investigation”.

 

Bethan Coles’s Facebook post.

The post has been liked by hundreds of people on the social media platform and shared over a thousand times. 

“I’ve discussed this with my family and we are in agreement that we would prefer all police resources to be concentrating on the investigation as there is so much work to be done”.

Julia James was found dead in Akholt wood near her home in Snowdown last week where she had been walking her dog.

The Royal Navy Police will be joining their colleagues from the Kent Constabulary this afternoon at 14:30 where they will observe a minute’s silence in her memory. 

Assistant Chief Constable, Tom Richards, explained on Friday that Julia James had suffered multiple head injuries and died from blunt trauma to the head. 

Kent Police are still appealing for witnesses and have asked locals to keep a fully charged phone on them at all times and to let people know where they are going. 

UPDATE: Kent Police will be carrying out road checks today until 6.30pm in the Snowdown area near Akholt wood to see if they can speak to people who have not already come forward.

This is a developing story.