Julia James: Man held over murder of Kent PCSO - BBC News
Police investigating the community support officer's death are given more time to question a man.
Police investigating the death of community support officer Julia James have been granted more time to question a man.

The man, from the Canterbury area, and in his 20s, was arrested at 21:30 BST on Friday.

Ms James, 53, was found dead on 27 April in Akholt Wood, Snowdown, near Dover, having suffered serious head injuries.

Detectives have been granted another 36 hours to question the man.

On Saturday officers began searching a house in Aylesham, about a mile from where Ms James' body was found.

This morning officers have been looking into drains at the property and searching through a skip.

Police have been searching a house in Aylesham

Ms James died from significant head injuries and had been walking her dog near her home at the time, police said.

She had worked for Kent Police since 2008, and her family said she was "fiercely loyal" and "loved with her whole heart".

On Saturday, Dover MP Natalie Elphicke laid flowers alongside other tributes to Ms James in Aylesham, and met officers involved in the investigation.

Ms Elphicke said she had spoken to officers from forces around the country, as well as specialist dog units and the British Transport Police, which were assisting Kent Police with the "vital" investigation.

"They've been working night and day, seven days a week, leaving no stone unturned," she added.

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke joined others in laying flowers for Ms James

Kent Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards said: "We continue to urge anyone with information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, to contact us.

"If you were in the Snowdown area between 1pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday, 27 April please contact us. This includes anyone local who may have seen something out of place at the time, or who came across someone who made them feel uneasy - such as feeling compelled to cross the road or change the route they were walking."

Julia James' dog Toby was found next to her body, police said

The Kent force has been assisted in the investigation by a team of officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA), including experts in profiling, interviewing and psychology.

Noel McHugh, from the NCA's Major Crime Investigative Support unit, said: "The NCA is providing a significant amount of our niche capabilities in support of this high-priority investigation led by Kent Police.

"While we cannot go into any further detail in order to protect the investigation, I hope outlining the breadth of our work illustrates our commitment to seeking justice for Julia."

On Wednesday, police issued an image of Ms James in the clothes she was wearing before she was killed.

The picture shows her walking her Jack Russell, Toby, while wearing a light blue waterproof coat, blue jeans and dark Wellington-style brown boots.

Police said it was the same clothing, apart from the gloves, which she wore on the day she died.

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