A COMMUNITY leader has said the image of Oswestry as a safe place should not be tarnished by its recent record of high-profile murders.
Since 2007 the area has seen eight violent deaths which have shocked residents and fixed national attention on Oswestry.
Councillor John Gareth Jones, pictured, was mayor at the time of the 2008 Osbaston House tragedy, when businessman Christopher Foster killed his wife and daughter before killing himself.
Cllr Jones said residents had no need to fear, despite deaths in recent years which have included that of Joseph Hayward, who was beaten to death by Gobowen man, Daniel Micklethwaite in the town centre, and much-loved local chimney sweep, Margaret Wycherley, who was found dead at her Castle Street home last year.
Not true picture
Cllr Jones said such tragic incidents did not reflect a true picture of Oswestry.
He said: “What has happened was a family problem. I did not know the family concerned, but it is tragic.
“Oswestry is a nice place to live. Something like this is unusual to happen, especially to happen again in such a short space of time.
“Oswestry is still a safe place to live,” he added.