A Kirklees councillor says he is doing his best to reassure Golcar residents they are safe after a murder and a stabbing incident took place in the village within a single week.

Andrew Marchington, a former maths teacher who has lived in the village for almost 50 years, spoke out after the latest incident occurred on Saturday evening at 7.20pm which centred on Elmfield Avenue, just yards from where Sean Annandale, a 22-year-old from Marsden, died a week earlier following a domestic incident.

On Saturday one man was stabbed after an altercation between a pedestrian and several people in a car. The stabbed man was later arrested by police in relation to other matters.

Police have already tried to reassure residents that the two incidents are not linked.

Read more: Man stabbed in Golcar incident just yards from scene of Sean Annandale attack a week earlier

The murder scene on Elmfield Avenue last week
The murder scene on Elmfield Avenue last week

Clr Marchington, (Lib Dem, Golcar), said: “Police had increased patrols in the area following what had happened here before last weekend. Local councillors along with Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing and Community Safety Partnership are going to meet up to work out what is going on.

“This was the second murder in the village in only nine years. We need to ask if there is any underlying reason given everything that has happened.

“It has been very destabilising for residents. It has had a massive impact. I have been telling people they are not likely to be victims of crime.

In pictures: Murder investigation in Elmfield Avenue

“Sometime this week I will be meeting the local police inspector to have a chat to see if there are any underlying issues we need to be looking at.

“Residents are very worried about what has happened. They are asking me: ‘Am I likely to be a victim of this, Andrew?’ And it is a worry I can understand.’”

But Clr Marchington says he has brought his family up in the area and when he walks around he feels safe.

Clr Hilary Richards.
Clr Hilary Richards.

Clr Hilary Richards, (Lab, Golcar), said: “A new tenants and residents association for the village was set up recently and I think that has to be a good idea.

“I was chatting to a resident of Elmfield Avenue and he was saying there had been quite a lot of input into the area.

“Three or four years ago some finance came in which paid for some new railings which has made a difference to the outlook in the area. Golcar is a lovely place to live.”