Police offer reassurance after second migrant dies

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 20:05

SENIOR police officers yesterday issued an urgent message, aimed at reassuring the residents of Brechin, following the second murder of a migrant worker in the Angus town in 15 months.

In April last year the people of the Royal Burgh were left reeling following the "severed head" murder of Lithuanian migrant worker Jolanta Bledaite, 35, who was killed at her flat in Brechin

Yesterday a man appeared in court on petition, charged with the murder of a Polish man in a flat in the town's Montrose Street on Sunday. The man who died was named yesterday as Witold Reichert, 43, who had been employed as a factory worker.

Karol Szwejkowski, 30, made a brief appearance in private at Forfar Sheriff Court, charged with Mr Reichert's murder. He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

One woman, living near the scene of the alleged murder, declared: "This has sent shockwaves through the whole community. People are beginning to feel really scared. We're still coming to terms with the gruesome murder a year ago."

Yesterday Tayside Police took the unusual step of issuing a statement "to provide reassurance and perspective".

Superintendent Ewen West, the deputy divisional commander for the area, said: "Residents of Brechin have publicly and understandably voiced their concerns that an incident of this nature could happen on their doorstep. But it needs to be recognised that Brechin is a safe town and, in reality, only a small proportion of residents and visitors are affected by serious or violent crime.

"Crime has fallen consistently over the last five years and we have seen the most significant reductions in violent offences and serious assaults. Our intention is to disrupt those committing criminal acts, as well as identifying and protecting those who may feel vulnerable."

Brechin was at the centre of a major murder investigation last year after the severed head and hands of Ms Bledaite were found on Arbroath beach.