Police reassure public after dog walker's murder

3 hours ago

Bea SwallowWest of England

Graham Pennycook had been out walking his dog when he was assaulted in the woods, police say

Wiltshire Police Graham Pennycook is wearing a blue collared shirt and a red tie, with a dark navy jacket and round glasses. He is bald with a trimmed white beard and is looking straight at the camera against a black background. — Graham Pennycook had been out walking his dog when he was assaulted in the woods, police say

Detectives investigating the murder of a man whose body was found in woodland have said mobile police stations are being set up to offer reassurance to the community.

Graham Pennycook, 64, failed to return home after walking his dog in woods near the polo field, close to Perham Down in Ludgershall, Wiltshire, on 24 September.

Wiltshire Police said his body was discovered later that day and a murder investigation was launched by its Major Crime Investigation Team.

Det Ch Insp Phil Walker urged members of the public to approach officers "if you feel anxious about this incident or the subsequent heightened police presence".

A cordon currently in place at the scene is expected to be reduced in size over the course of the weekend, once forensic enquiries at the scene are complete.

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Dog walker murdered in the woods, say police

The force said Pennycook left home at about 10:00 BST and was later reported missing by his wife at 15:41 BST after his dog came home without him.

His body was recovered later that afternoon at about 17:41 BST. Based on its location, police estimate Pennycook was about 45 minutes into his "regular route".

A post-mortem examination revealed he had sustained "injuries consistent with an assault".

No arrests have been made, and detectives are appealing for information or dashcam footage from between 09:00 BST and 18:00 BST, but "more specifically" 10:00 to 11:00 BST.

Pennycook was wearing a blue collared T-shirt, a grey zip-up gilet, a dark coloured baseball cap, dark blue shorts, brown walking shoes and reading glasses.

The large cordon will be reduced once forensic enquiries at the scene are complete

Wiltshire Police An aerial image showing the polo field and adjacent woodland where Pennycook went walking his dog and was assaulted. There are lots of police vehicles visible in the top right corner, guarding the entrance to the woods. In the distance you can see the town of Ludgershall, surrounded by fields. — The large cordon will be reduced once forensic enquiries at the scene are complete

Walker said: "I do not underestimate the impact this incident will have had on the Ludgershall community.

"Please be reassured that our investigation remains very much ongoing and our local neighbourhood teams will be out and about across the weekend.

"If you feel anxious about this incident, the subsequent heightened police presence in the area, or just wish to speak to an officer, please do so.

"Our officers are there to protect you and listen to your concerns."

The mobile police stations will be at the following locations this weekend:

Saturday 11:00 -13:00, Memorial Hall, Ludgershall

Sunday 11:00 - 12:00, Wellesley Road, Wellington Eagle Primary School, Ludgershall.

Sunday 12:00 to 13:00, Memorial Hall, Ludgershall

Detectives are urging the public to recall whether they noticed anybody acting suspiciously that day, or someone they knew came home with unexplained injuries, changed their plans or disposed of clothing.

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