Family of Julia James pay tribute to 'fiercely loyal' PCSO

30 April 2021, 16:54 | Updated: 5 May 2021, 07:22

Julia James' family have paid tribute to her
Julia James' family have paid tribute to her. Picture: Social Media

By Kate Buck

The family of PCSO Julia James have described her as “fiercely loyal”, adding in a statement: “Her loss will be felt by us every moment of every day."

In a statement released by Kent Police on Friday afternoon, Ms James' family said: "There are no words to adequately describe the void left in our lives by the death of our mum.

'She was so much to so many people; a wife, mother, daughter, nanny, sister and a friend.

"Mum was fiercely loyal, she loved with her whole heart and nothing was too much trouble for the people she cared about."

They added: "Her loss will be felt by us every moment of every day. She will be so sorely missed. As a family we are trying to understand how we will navigate our lives without her, it seems an impossible task."

Read more: PCSO Julia James died from 'blunt trauma' to the head, police confirm

Detectives are considering "all possible" motives for the murder Ms James, 53, who was found in Akholt Wood in Snowdown, near Aylesham in Kent, on Tuesday.

She was off duty and not in uniform at the time of her death.

At a press conference in Aylesham, near Canterbury, on Friday, Kent Police Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards urged members of the public to be "vigilant" and "aware of their surroundings".

He declined to rule out that Ms James was killed by a stranger, someone she came across during her work, someone trying to steal her dog, or as part of a sexual assault.

No arrests have been made and no suspects identified, Mr Richards told reporters.

Detectives are considering "all possible" motives for the murder Ms James, 53, who was found in Akholt Wood in Snowdown, near Aylesham in Kent, on Tuesday
Detectives are considering "all possible" motives for the murder Ms James, 53, who was found in Akholt Wood in Snowdown, near Aylesham in Kent, on Tuesday. Picture: PA

He would not comment on any potential murder weapon and also declined to say whether detectives had found signs of a struggle.

Ms James's body was found just "a few hundred yards from her house", he said.

Mr Richards said: "We do not at this stage have any identified suspects; we are keeping all options open to us while we fully investigate the circumstances of this matter and try to understand fully what happened.

"We do not at this stage understand the motive."

However, he added that there was "no evidence that any of her possessions were missing".

He took a moment to pay tribute to Ms James, who joined the police in 2008.

Mr Richards said: "She was a hugely devoted, passionate individual who was completely committed to serving the people of Kent. She will be hugely missed and lost by her colleagues.

"My heartfelt thoughts go out to her family, her friends and of course her colleagues."

Mr Richards stressed that the murder was an "awful" but "incredibly rare and isolated" incident.

He said: "I would encourage people to be cautious, to be vigilant, to be aware of their surroundings, to report anything of concern to Kent Police.

"We're very, very interested in that, but, no, I am not specifically advising women, or anyone for that matter, to stay at home or to avoid any particular locations.

"But until we understand exactly what has happened and why it's happened, of course I understand why people would be concerned."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Proud Boys claim they will go to voting places as Trump repeats election fraud lies.

Proud Boys making plans to mobilise as Trump repeats election fraud lies

File photo of a real NHS dentist

Desperate Brits fall for scam 'fake NHS dentists' amid years-long waits for appointments

The Kremlin is suspected of plotting the attack

'Parcel bombs' that blew up in warehouse were 'rehearsal' for Russian explosion attack on flight to US

Keir Starmer is not set to ban smoking in pub gardens, contrary to earlier reports

Cigarettes will not be banned in pub gardens under new Labour plan create 'smoke-free generation'

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team

Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the tuition fee rise

University tuition fees to rise for first time in eight years, as Tories accuse Labour of 'declaring war on students'

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner