CLAIRE’S MURDER: PRIME MINISTER APPEALS FOR INFORMATION

Prime Minster David Cameron today joined the appeal for information about the 20-year unsolved murder of schoolgirl Claire Tiltman.

The PM told MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions today that the government will do ‘everything it can’ to support the Kent Police murder investigation and called on the public to come forward if they know anything.

Speaking after a question from Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, the PM said: “It is a particularly tragic case because, as he says, the parents of this girl have both died…of course we will do everything we can but above all its for other people, anyone who knows anything about this case, to talk to Kent Police.”

Twenty years after Claire was brutally murdered just four days after her 16^th birthday, her friends have formed a campaign group and are calling on a community to end years of heartbreak by helping to find the killer.

Claire was stabbed to death in an alleyway in Greenhithe, Kent, on 18 January 1993. This year, with both her parents now sadly passed away, a group of Claire’s close friends have come together to organise a candlelit walk in her memory on the 20th anniversary of her death. The friends hope that by raising awareness that Claire’s murder remains unsolved, someone may finally come forward with the crucial information which will help find her murderer.

“Claire was a special girl and a wonderful friend,” said Lisa Gribbin. “She had her whole life ahead of her before that terrible night and I am sure she would have gone on to achieve her dream of becoming a firefighter. Her parents, Lin and Cliff, never gave up hope that her killer would one day be brought to justice and neither will we.”

The walk, which re-traces Claire’s final steps, will commence at 6pm opposite The Bull at Horns Cross and proceed to the memorial site on London Road, close to where she died. It will be followed by a short service in St Mary’s church opposite, scheduled to start at 7pm.

The walk is open to anyone who would like to show their support, whether they knew Claire or not. “Claire’s murder shocked the local community,” explained Vicki Atkins. “And so we hope as many people as possible will come out to show their support and help to finally find justice for Claire and her family.”

Anyone with information should contact Kent Police on 01634 884010 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.