Latest news with #JimMunro
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Police searching woods say they believe woman missing for over a month is dead
Police searching for a woman missing for over a month now believe she is dead, as specialist teams scour woodland in the West Midlands. Reanne Coulson, 34, was last seen in Coventry in May. Concerns for her welfare were raised by her family after she failed to make contact on her birthday on June 17. West Midlands Police confirmed that specialist teams, including police dogs from across the country, are conducting extensive searches in Binley Woods and other areas of land in neighbouring Warwickshire. The force stated the operation is a result of information received by investigators. Speaking outside the woods where searches are being carried out and standing alongside Ms Coulson's family, Detective Superintendent Jim Munro, from the force's major crime unit, said: 'I know there are people in the area of Coventry that have information relating to her (Ms Coulson's) whereabouts and I ask that they come forward and speak to the police, that they look at other channels such as Crimestoppers to provide that information to allow us to locate Reanne, as we sadly now believe she is deceased.' He said 'policing intelligence' has led to them to area, which they have been searching since Wednesday, adding: 'There is also some evidence in relation to telecommunication that have assisted us in pinpointing some locations and this is one of those.' The new information comes as a 38-year-old was detained just before 4pm on Wednesday in the Coventry area on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and remains in custody, as does a 42-year-old man arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murder. Officers have until late on Friday to either release or charge the man who was arrested on Tuesday. A 53-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and murder was released on bail with strict conditions while the investigation continues. In a fresh appeal for information about her daughter's whereabouts, Ms Coulson's mother Lynne Sparkes said: 'Is there anybody out there that knows anything about Reanne's disappearance? 'From one parent to another, you can only imagine how I'm feeling. Please come forward to give our family some closure. 'I just want my baby back.' Officers searching for Ms Coulson released CCTV on Monday of her near St Mary and Benedict Church on Raglan Street in Coventry at 9.46pm on May 21 to encourage anyone who may have seen her to come forward. A food bank was in operation at the time and she was last seen leaving the church with food and a carrier bag. She is believed to have been wearing a black hoodie with large red writing on the back, black jeans with tears in the front, and white footwear, and had a small black handbag worn on her left side. Ms Coulson was a sex worker and lived a 'chaotic life', her twin sister Kirsten told the media in an appeal on Monday, but said it was 'out of the ordinary' not to have heard from her. Speaking at the scene of the search on Thursday, she described her sister as her 'other half'. She said: 'Words can't describe the pain we are all feeling. She is my other half, my best friend, my everything. I am just broken in two. We have a bond like no other. 'Our family are desperate and we need your help to find her, no matter what, just bring her home.' West Midlands Police said more than 100 officers are 'working round the clock' to find Ms Coulson and have viewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and taken more than 50 statements from potential witnesses as part of the investigation. A dedicated website has been set up where information can be given at or you can call 101 quoting log 6621 of June 18. Information can also be given anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Police believe missing woman dead as woods searched and third arrest made
Police looking for a woman who has been missing for more than a month say they now believe she is dead as they search woodland. Reanne Coulson, 34, was last seen in Coventry in May and concerns were raised by her family after she failed to make contact with them on her birthday on June 17. West Midlands Police say specialist teams from across the country including police dogs are searching Binley Woods as well as other areas of land in neighbouring Warwickshire 'as a result of information received'. Speaking outside the woods where searches are being carried out and standing alongside Ms Coulson's family, Detective Superintendent Jim Munro, from the force's major crime unit, said: 'I know there are people in the area of Coventry that have information relating to her (Ms Coulson's) whereabouts and I ask that they come forward and speak to the police, that they look at other channels such as Crimestoppers to provide that information to allow us to locate Reanne, as we sadly now believe she is deceased.' He said 'policing intelligence' has led to them to area, which they have been searching since Wednesday, adding: 'There is also some evidence in relation to telecommunication that have assisted us in pinpointing some locations and this is one of those.' The new information comes as a 38-year-old was detained just before 4pm on Wednesday in the Coventry area on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and remains in custody, as does a 42-year-old man arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murder. Officers have until late on Friday to either release or charge the man who was arrested on Tuesday. A 53-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and murder was released on bail with strict conditions while the investigation continues. In a fresh appeal for information about her daughter's whereabouts, Ms Coulson's mother Lynne Sparkes said: 'Is there anybody out there that knows anything about Reanne's disappearance? 'From one parent to another, you can only imagine how I'm feeling. Please come forward to give our family some closure. 'I just want my baby back.' Officers searching for Ms Coulson released CCTV on Monday of her near St Mary and Benedict Church on Raglan Street in Coventry at 9.46pm on May 21 to encourage anyone who may have seen her to come forward. A food bank was in operation at the time and she was last seen leaving the church with food and a carrier bag. She is believed to have been wearing a black hoodie with large red writing on the back, black jeans with tears in the front, and white footwear, and had a small black handbag worn on her left side. Ms Coulson was a sex worker and lived a 'chaotic life', her twin sister Kirsten told the media in an appeal on Monday, but said it was 'out of the ordinary' not to have heard from her. Speaking at the scene of the search on Thursday, she described her sister as her 'other half'. She said: 'Words can't describe the pain we are all feeling. She is my other half, my best friend, my everything. I am just broken in two. We have a bond like no other. 'Our family are desperate and we need your help to find her, no matter what, just bring her home.' West Midlands Police said more than 100 officers are 'working round the clock' to find Ms Coulson and have viewed hundreds of hours of CCTV and taken more than 50 statements from potential witnesses as part of the investigation. A dedicated website has been set up where information can be given at or you can call 101 quoting log 6621 of June 18. Information can also be given anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Evening Standard
2 days ago
- Evening Standard
Police believe missing woman dead as woods searched and third arrest made
Speaking outside the woods where searches are being carried out and standing alongside Ms Coulson's family, Detective Superintendent Jim Munro, from the force's major crime unit, said: 'I know there are people in the area of Coventry that have information relating to her (Ms Coulson's) whereabouts and I ask that they come forward and speak to the police, that they look at other channels such as Crimestoppers to provide that information to allow us to locate Reanne, as we sadly now believe she is deceased.'
The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Second man held over disappearance of 34-year-old woman
Police investigating the disappearance of a woman last seen more than a month ago have made a second arrest. Reanne Coulson, 34, was last sighted in Coventry in May and her family raised concerns after she failed to make contact with them on her birthday on June 17. A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder in the early hours of Tuesday and is still in custody, West Midlands Police said. A man aged 53 who was arrested on suspicion of murder and kidnap has been released on bail with strict conditions while the investigation continues, the force added. Officers investigating Ms Coulson's disappearance released CCTV on Monday of her near St Mary and Benedict Church on Raglan Street in Coventry to encourage anyone who may have seen her to come forward. A food bank was in operation at the time and she was last seen leaving the church with food and a carrier bag. She is believed to have been wearing a black hoodie with large red writing on the back, black jeans with tears in the front, and white footwear, and had a small black handbag worn on her left side. Detective Superintendent Jim Munro, who is leading the investigation, said: 'Our investigation is moving very quickly and this second arrest is a significant development. 'But it's still really important that we hear from anyone who has information about her movements or her whereabouts to get in touch. Information will be treated in the strictest of confidence.' In a press conference on Monday, Ms Coulson's twin sister Kirsten said her sibling was known to be a sex worker in the Coventry area and lived a 'chaotic' life. The force said Ms Coulson is known to have previously travelled around Coventry, Atherstone and Leamington Spa in Warwickshire.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police arrest 17 and seize knives in city operation
Police have arrested 17 people and confiscated items including two Rambo knives, a screwdriver and £1,000 in cash in Birmingham. Operation Fearless Interchange saw more than 40 West Midlands Police (WMP) officers stationed at Birmingham New Street Station on Wednesday, which aimed to target drugs, anti-social behaviour and violence. Sniffer dogs and a metal detector knife arch were at the station, which is one of the busiest in the country. "We know that there are issues with drugs and theft and we've also seen issues with serious youth violence," said Det Supt Jim Munro. "We are showing that element of the community that feels that they can come into areas like this and commit crime that the police are actively responding to that." The operation came just two days after a teenage boy was stabbed at the station. It launched in Erdington in January, and last month, focus was shifted to the southside area, including the Gay Village, Chinese Quarter and Arcadian. WMP said arrests included a man spotted allegedly dealing drugs and another who was wanted on suspicion of shoplifting and failing to appear in court. He was found hiding in the toilet of a restaurant. "We know we can't arrest our way out of homeless issues and begging... we work really closely with our colleagues in the third sector, charities, to ensure that we are providing people with the right provision," said Det Supt Munro. "But of course, where criminality is present, we will take the right action." He added that the operation was "funded by criminals". He told the BBC that in the south of the city, over the past 10 days, the force had taken almost £80,000 off criminals. The WMP worked with other organisations during the operation, which included the British Transport Police and the Central Business Improvement District (BID). Other areas with patrols were at Digbeth bus station, bus interchanges and shopping areas. "This morning we've had a lot of positivity from our businesses… seeing police officers around makes them feel much happier," said Bryan Edwards from the BID. "Members of the public are saying they feel more comfortable," he added. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. 'We understand that people aren't feeling safe' West Midlands Police
