Soham needs space to grieve, says vicar

The community of Soham now needs to be left to grieve in peace over the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, the town’s vicar said today.

The town could only rebuild itself away from the attention of the wider public, said the Rev Tim Alban Jones told worshippers at the weekly Holy Communion service at St Andrew’s Church, at which the two schoolgirls were remembered.

But while asking for the community to be left to cope with its grief, he paid tribute to the great outpouring of public sorrow and sympathy which had centred on the town.

Meanwhile, police have confirmed that they have found clothes which they believe Holly and Jessica were wearing on the day they disappeared.

They have not said where or when the items were discovered.

Soham church was about half full for the memorial service, with about half of the congregation comprising regular worshippers.

Mr Alban Jones told worshippers: “It seems to me that our town, our community is now in desperate need of space and privacy.

“The media are greatly to be credited for respecting the wishes of the Chapman and Wells families and withdrawing from Soham as requested.

“They are to be highly commended for adhering to that agreement - in spite of the continuing high level of public interest.

“The responsible and sensitive way in which the media and press have behaved is perhaps a good example that others from the public might follow.

“What our community now needs is some space and seclusion in order to come to terms with what has happened here.”

Hundreds of people from across the country have visited Soham to leave flowers, messages and cuddly toys at the church - its graveyard is now almost covered with thousands of bouquets.

When this morning’s service ended dozens of people were queuing at the church door to sign the book of condolence and stop at an area set aside in the church in memory of the girls.

Before the service Mr Alban Jones said: "We need to be left alone so we can grieve - the process of healing can't begin while we have all these visitors.

“While we are so enormously grateful for the huge outpouring of public support and sympathy we ask people to respect our need for space and privacy.

“It is so uplifting to think that so many people in the world and in this country have taken this to their hearts.

“But for the residents of Soham we want our town back.

“We do not have all the resources of the police and other agencies to cope with the number of people who are coming.

“I have been approached by dozens of people who are all deeply touched by the number of people who this has affected, but who think now is the time for it to stop.

“It has reached a situation where you cannot cross the street because there is so much traffic.”

Mr Alban Jones said outside the church that the flowers left at the churchyard would be removed by the end of next week.

Any new ones left after that would be taken away at the end of each day.

During the sermon he said the books of condolence at the church would remain open but visitors would not be encouraged to light individual candles - instead there will be two large candles in front of the picture of Holly and Jessica.