Vicar says churchyard murder is 'a scar on the community' (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

I am sure that this is very upsetting for all that are involved but I really believe that this could have been avoided! Surely Mrs Jo should have been looked after by the place that she sought shelter? In this day and age you are not safe anywhere and I am shocked that nobody from the church tried to help Mrs Jo find somewhere to live! It seems very unchristian to leave a person sleeping rough in the grounds of a church!

Very laudable words from the Rev Heathfield. "This senseless tragedy challenges everyone of goodwill in Walthamstow to redouble our efforts to build a more peaceful, safer community for all". We should all take them to heart, but more importantly, think about what it involves.

Could he let us know a bit more about the efforts he and his parishioners have been making to build a safer community for all? Is it too early to know what redoubled efforts from now on would be likely to look like?

I personally would be too scared to confront the kind of gang who attacked the staff at the Turkish shop at the bottom of the High Street recently. I would willingly support a local copper if I ever saw one.

My own vision for a safer community for all would involve a police station with enough real policemen in it in the High Street to do the job people want done; who routinely get out and patrol all parts of the borough on foot. It wouldn't close when it got dark and it wouldn't have officers in it who have to waste their time on folding leaflets when they could be investigating and deterring crime and catching criminals.

I know that people are very angry and upset - and rightly so a dreadful murder has taken place an innocent life taken - Do not take this out on the place she got the most comfort - I talked to her many times and I know that many people tried to get her housing issues sorted - it was definitely her insistence and her choice that she made the graveyard her home. In fact I know that she recently spent some time in a hospital and was offered a residential place but she wouldn't have it, read other comments left here that have had the same experiences of her life, I'm sure that if Technomist had ever taken the time to listen to her in the way that I know the vicar (and indeed incidentally workers from other faiths also)did he would know this about her. Undoubtedly lessons do need to be learnt - and I am sure people are wondering what more they could have done -however do not think that nothing was tried - and do not use this terrible tragedy to vent your cynicism on the church.

Also read here: http://www.guardian-
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If questions are seen as 'taking it out' on a place, then that is a pity. As the Rev Heathfield says, though, these events are a scar on our community.

I think it is well worth us all thinking about what we do or not do for people when we see people in distress, and consider what can be done in future. That does include people who find themselves turned to for assistance thinking about what they can do, even if giving that assistance can be a difficult thing to do. Help is also not always welcomed or readily accepted, despite being needed. Helping can sometimes take skills which do not come easily and have to be developed. It may require recognizing when a response may not be enough and increasing the efforts as well as calling on others to assist.

I have wondered what the position of the social services in all this is. I do not, of course, expect them to answer here, but I do hope there is some kind of thought given to the adequacy of any response to this woman's vulnerability (and indeed, to any homeless single person) if it had been drawn to their attention. Sadly, I am aware that in some cases, our social services are not always as welcoming and responsive as the public realizes. Maybe now there will be more understanding of how perilous the position of homeless people actually is in our community. Lets not forget that Melita's killer or killers are possibly still around.

Thinking about practical steps individuals and groups can take would be a good thing to do in the face of a tragedy like this.

At the end of the day though, the fact remains that this was no accident - a serious crime was committed here, and I would like to know that our community, which includes vulnerable people like Melita, will be protected by a police force who are in a position to deliver that protection. That does not just need good intentions, but adequate resources deployed wisely to do the job. At present, sadly, I do not think that is the case.