Anxious residents have revealed their fears about returning to a usually ‘safe and peaceful’ countryside path in Suffolk where a dog walker was found unconscious with a serious head injury.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident near Rectory Lane, Brantham shortly after 8am last Wednesday.
Suffolk Police has released a CCTV picture of the victim, Anita Rose, who remains in a critical condition in hospital, having sustained a serious head injury.
Officers were called by the East of England Ambulance Service to reports a woman had been found injured and unconscious by a member of the public on the well-used track, the force said.
Ms Rose, 57, had left her house around 5am to take her springer spaniel dog, named Bruce, for a walk.
A CCTV image issued by police of Anita Rose, who was in a critical condition in hospital after being found with unconscious on a remote country path
Officers on the scene where the dog walker was reportedly attacked on Rectory Lane in Brantham, Suffolk
Police combing the scene where Ms Rose, 57, was discovered on Wednesday morning
Locals in Brantham have been telling of their shock at the news – and concerns.
Bradley James, 28, a tractor driver who lives in the area, said: ‘Dog walkers always use these paths.
‘It’s quite tragic, really – you don’t get anything like that happening in this village.
‘A lot of people are a bit nervous to go walking their dogs. My mum is scared because you don’t know what’s going on.’
Ian Swan, 58, from nearby Mistley, added: ‘It always seems very safe down there usually.
‘There’s plenty of people around – I’ve never been out here and not met someone. But I’ve never heard of any problems down here.’
Rosie Rawlinson said she walked her dogs three to four times a day along the route but ‘absolutely’ felt she could continue doing so.
She said: ‘Nothing like this has ever happened like this in the four and a half years I’ve been here. I was scared this morning on my early walk, I must admit.’
Simon Harley, a councillor on Suffolk County Council, added: ‘I am of course shocked and saddened by this incident and my thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family.
‘Brantham is normally such a safe and peaceful place with amazing people, and I am sure this incident is a one-off, but I would urge people to take sensible precautions at this time.’
Police on the country track where Ms Rose was discovered on Wednesday at around 6.30am by a member of the public
‘You can walk around and not see anyone, or if you do, they are often the same people who come here all the time.’
Her husband added: ‘There are only farmers, farm workers and dog walkers. There is nobody else.’
A 45-year-old man from the Ipswich area was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently being questioned at a local force investigation centre.
It is not believed by police at this time that the suspect was known to the victim.
Ms Rose was found by a member of the public lying on a track road near the sewage works and railway line around 6.25am, before an ambulance was called and she was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
Her dog had stayed with her while she was unconscious and is said to be safe and unharmed.
Suffolk Police released an image of Ms Rose, taken on the morning of the incident from a doorbell camera, in an appeal to trace her mobile phone and a pink zip-up jacket.
The spot where Ms Rose was allegedly attacked is close to the River Stour has a large number of tracks which are popular with dog walkers from the village of Brantham and further afield.
Police issued a photo of Ms Rose in an appeal to trace her mobile phone and zip-up jacket
One woman walking her dog said: ‘It is horrific and just awful. This is a beautiful area.
Detective Superintendent Mike Brown said: ‘We are still looking to establish the exact circumstances leading to this incident, but our initial inquiries are under way, and these will continue over the weekend.
‘We continue to be extremely grateful for the support the community and the media have given us so far. This assistance we receive is absolutely key.’
A presence of officers will likely continue in the area for the next few days with reassurance patrols conducting house-to-house inquiries, searching CCTV footage and continuing ongoing forensic work, Mr Brown said.
Anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the area or has any knowledge of the incident that could help police with their inquiries has been asked to contact Suffolk Police, quoting 37/41580/24, or get in touch anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
