A POLICE chief has moved to reassure Charford residents of their safety after what is believed to be a second murder on the estate in the space of six months.

A 42-year-old man was arrested at the weekend on suspicion of the murder of Charford woman Zobaidah Salangy.

Ms Salangy, 28, went missing on Sunday, March 29, after telling her family she was going for a jog.

Read more: Man arrested for murder of missing Bromsgrove woman

It is the second murder investigation launched in Charford in the space of six months after the death of Wayne Coventry, 36, in Humphrey Avenue, in October.

But Inspector Lee Page of the Redditch and Bromsgrove Safer Neighbourhood Team told the Advertiser residents should not feel alarmed.

"I don't underestimate the effect it will have on the local community hearing this sad news," he said.

"And I do appreciate people's concerns and the fear of crime because of these serious incidents.

"It's a number of incidents over a period of time but it can have a cumulative effect.

"What I would say is that we have PCs and PCSOs patrolling Charford who are highly visible.

"If people are concerned about anything, please speak to our officers when they are out and about.

"We have a dedicated team of safer neighbourhood officers allocated to Charford and it is very much their job to ensure that any concerns members of the community have are being addressed."

Inspector Page acknowledged that the ongoing coronavirus restrictions could impact people's ability to connect with the police but urged them to use other means.

He added: "People can feel isolated and vulnerable and somewhat removed because of the restrictions but we are still there - people just need to have the confidence to pick up a phone or drop us an email."

Charford was rocked by Mr Coventry's death six months ago and Cordelia Farrell, 37, who pleaded not guilty to his murder, was set to face trial this month although the ongoing pandemic may delay that.

Read more: Tributes paid to Bromsgrove murder victim Wayne Coventry

There was also an alleged attempted murder in Villiers Road in December, for which Mark Kendall, 36, is awaiting trial in May.

And in February of this year, James Bateman was jailed for almost six months for strangling a police officer in the Golden Lion pub in Austin Road.

However, Charford councillor Michael Thompson, who represents the ward on Bromsgrove District Council, insisted those incidents were 'isolated events'.

And Dr Thompson, who formed the Charford Residents' Association party after leaving Labour last year, backed Inspector Page's appeal for anyone in fear to speak up.

He said: "It's obviously a very difficult time - on top of coronavirus, we have had three very bad incidents.

"But they are isolated events and I would encourage anyone who feels a lack of security or who needs reassurance to contact me directly."

Cllr Thompson was due to hold a Charford ward residents' meeting next Thursday (April 16) but that has moved online due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The meeting will be held on Skype, where the councillor's username is michael.thompson761 - or he can be contacted 07861 739942 or by email at mthompson_dr@outlook.com

Police investigating Ms Salangy's disappearance are still appealing for information.

Anyone who can help should call 101 quoting incident 0521S 040420 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.