REASSURING: The Police support unit is set up in Wimborne to help ease people's fears

THE people of Wimborne, a place famed for its picturesque setting and gentle pace of life, have been left shocked that a murder has taken place in their midst.

One woman told the Echo: "When I drove past the scene on Thursday, although it looks like a murder had occurred because of all the tape and area cordoned off, it didn't actually occur to me that it was a murder - it is very shocking."

Rev John Holbrook, of the Minster, said: "Obviously everyone is very shocked. We are waiting for further information but since the news broke we have been praying in the Minster for all those involved."

There was little talk of anything else in the town yesterday where there was a high media presence.

Police drafted in the community support vehicle to try and provide reassurance to local people. Officers were due to attend again today.

Pc Mark Harper, who manned the unit, said: "We have had a number of people come in. Some just want to talk about other matters but we have had one or two asking about the murder and whether they should be fearful."

Superintendent Lynn Hart, of Dorset Police, said: "The people of Wimborne are shocked at Jemma's murder because it is such a terrible tragedy that a young woman who had everything to live for should lose her life in such circumstances.

"A murder is, thankfully, a rarity in Wimborne which is a very safe place to live and work."

The case is in fact only the third murder in the town in more than 70 years.

In 1993 Phyllis Saville was stabbed as she walked through the centre to attend the Sunday morning service at the Minster.

She was found by an elderly friend who raised the alarm. Canon David Price in his church robes rushed to give comfort but she died from her injuries. A teenager was convicted of her murder.

Before that the last brutal death in the town was in 1930 when the Walsford Farm murders occurred.

Frank Burdett shot dead his wife's parents Louisa and Thomas Holloway with a doubled barrelled shotgun before turning the weapon on himself. The couple's four sons were forced to flee for their lives.