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Police seek two key witnesses in Anita Rose murder investigation

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Suffolk Police are appealing for two individuals to come forward as potential witnesses in the murder investigation of Anita Rose in Brantham. Detectives believe these persons may hold crucial information about the attack.

Why it matters: Identifying these witnesses could provide vital clues to help solve Anita's murder and bring closure to her family and the community.

A man walking
Police want to speak to two witnesses who they believe may be able to assist with the caseSuffolk Police
A man walking
A second man police believe can assist with their investigationsSuffolk Police

Key details:

  • Anita Rose, 57, was found unconscious on 24 July and died four days later from a head injury.

  • Police have reviewed over 100 hours of CCTV footage as part of their extensive enquiries.

  • An updated map of Anita's likely route has been released based on her mobile phone tracking data.

  • Detectives are still searching for Anita's missing Regatta Calderdale II jacket and black phone case.

What they're saying: Detective Superintendent Mike Brown stated, "It's important we identify and locate these two individuals to get a better understanding of how they can assist the investigation. Any information they have, big or small, could assist in establishing the full circumstances surrounding Anita's injuries and subsequent death."

He added: “It must be understood that we believe they may be able to assist us in our enquiries and are not suspects in this case."

A map of Anita's movements
An updated map of Anita's likely route has been released based on her mobile phone tracking data.Suffolk Police

The investigation so far:

  • Over 200 statements have been taken and 1,200 house-to-house questionnaires completed.

  • Police are particularly interested in sightings between 6am and 6:30am from the top of Newmill Lane to where Anita was found.

  • Anita's walk tracking app was manually stopped at 6:03am near The Street, which was normal for her usual route.

What's next: Police urge the two individuals or anyone who recognises them to come forward. They also continue to appeal for information about suspicious people or vehicles in the area.

The bottom line: Anyone with information should contact Suffolk Police quoting 37/41580/24 via the MIPP Portal, Crimestoppers, or by calling 101.

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Farage more trusted than Starmer in East of England, latest poll finds

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is more trusted to represent the UK internationally than PM Keir Starmer among East of England voters, new polling reveals.

Why it matters: The findings highlight a significant decline in trust for the main party leaders in the region less than a year after the general election.

The poll, conducted by communications agency PLMR and Electoral Calculus, shows Farage ranked highest among named leaders at 19% in the East of England, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer (13%), Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (6%) and Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (5%).

Nigel Farage
Nigel FarageAlamy

The bigger picture: One in three voters (33%) in the region responded "none of the above" when asked which political figure they would trust most, suggesting a broader decline in overall trust in UK political leaders.

By the numbers: The same poll indicates Reform UK would become the largest party in the region if an election were held tomorrow:

  • Reform: 21 seats

  • Conservatives: 10 seats

  • Labour: 4 seats

  • Liberal Democrats: 2 seats

  • Greens: 1 seat

In contrast: Nationally, Farage and Starmer are tied at 16% among those who named a preference, highlighting a more polarised national picture, with the Reform UK leader building more trust with voters in the East of England specifically.

What they're saying: "This polling highlights a significant decline in trust for the two main party leaders among East of England voters when it comes to representing the UK on the international stage," said Tim Miller , Managing Director of PLMR Genesis , the East of England branch of PLMR.

Reform and Nigel Farage have seemingly been able to capitalise on this and it's now translating into voting intentions, with the Party set to overtake Labour and the Conservatives in the region with the largest number of seats – a seismic political shift.

Between the lines: The poll suggests Reform would make strong gains across the region, potentially taking seats from both major parties:

  • Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket from Labour

  • Essex: Braintree from the Conservatives and Thurrock from Labour

  • Cambridgeshire: North East from the Conservatives and North West from Labour

  • Norfolk: North West from the Conservatives and South West from Labour

Tim Miller on a backdrop of Ipswich from above and political party colour overlays
Tim Miller of PLMR GenesisOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The national outlook: The survey of 5,180 adults showed Reform securing 25% of the vote share nationally, compared to 23% each for Labour and the Conservatives. This would translate to 227 seats for Reform, 180 for Labour and 130 for the Conservatives.

The bottom line: "If Labour wants to keep Reform at bay, hold onto the gains they made in the East of England and remain in government in four year's time, the Party needs to focus on getting their message across more clearly to voters and instil confidence in their domestic agenda," Miller concluded.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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