A relative of a PCSO who was brutally murdered in a quiet hamlet has blasted what she says is the "lack of huge outrage" surrounding her death.

Grandmother Julia James was found dead on the edge of woodland near her home in Snowdown - between Dover and Canterbury - last Tuesday, sparking a major murder investigation.

Her cousin, Samantha Griffin, has criticised the response to Julia's murder and expressed her outrage on a widely-shared Facebook post.

She posted: "Where is the uproar about my beautiful cousin? Where is the huge outrage and pouring of despair? Where are the vigils and protests about her murder?

"She was walking her dog, near her home.

"That's all......and somebody must know something about what happened!

"The person who did this, is walking our streets and your communities...so let's stand up and make sure we swamp social media with her beautiful face in the hope that we can get information or the vile human who did this decides to hold their hands up!

"Our family, her friends and colleagues will not rest."

It comes after author India Knight wrote in The Times expressing similar views.

Her article reads: "Where is the outcry? Where is the huge vigil? Will the Duchess of Cambridge come with a posy?

"There isn’t a sliding scale. These lives were equally precious. They were equally meaningful. They are equally deserving of our grief."

Mum-of-two Mrs James, 53, was found dead with serious injuries on the edge of Ackholt Wood in Snowdown shortly after 4pm last Tuesday, with her Jack Russell Toby unharmed by her side.

She had been out walking the dog along a track yards from her home when she was attacked, suffering fatal blunt force injuries.

New advice has now been issued to the public in the wake of the brutal killing, with no arrests made nor suspects identified by detectives.

Dover Chief Inspector Dab Carter said: "We understand if people are feeling uncertain at the moment about their safety following the death of PCSO Julia James in Snowdown.

"Remain cautious, vigilant and aware of your surroundings when you are out and about.

"Remember to keep your phone on you and charged, plan your route and tell someone where you are going and how long you will be".

A post-mortem has since revealed Mrs James sustained multiple blows with a blunt instrument, suffering "significant head injuries" – police would not be drawn on whether any weapon has been recovered at a press conference earlier.

Since Tuesday much of the rural location has remained taped off and some other routes have also been sealed, with forensics teams meticulously combing woodland and fields, as well as using a drone as they continued to scour the area.

No arrests have been made nor any suspect identified or motive ascertained – so police are having to keep an open mind as the investigation progresses.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area on Monday and Tuesday who may have seen something unusual or suspicious. They are urged to contact Kent Police on 0800 0514526. Anyone with video footage can submit it online by clicking here.

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