A Police Community Support Officer has been found dead in a sleepy Kent village.
Police confirmed that the body of Julia James, 53, was found on a small footpath in Snowdown near Aylesham yesterday.
Kent Police are treating her death as suspicious and have urged people in the area to "remain vigilant".
A Kent Police spokesman said: "Witnesses sought following death of a woman near Dover
"Kent Police is appealing for witnesses to come forward following the death of a woman near Dover.
"Officers were called shortly after 4pm on Tuesday 27 April to Akholt Wood in the Aylesham Road area of Snowdown where the body of a woman, aged 53 was found.
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"The victim is a serving Kent Police PCSO Julia James.
"No arrests have been made at this time but detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are conducting enquiries to establish the circumstances and her death is being treated as suspicious."
Officers were called to Snowdown near Aylesham, Kent at around 4pm on Tuesday.
Pictures from the scene show a large police presence, with a tent set up next to floodlights in a sealed-off field.
The road was shut as officers arrived and remains closed on Wednesday while the probe continues.
Assistant Chief Constable of Kent Police Tom Richards said: "We’re particularly keen to speak to those who regularly visit the area who may have seen something out of place and those who drove by who have dashcam footage.
"We would advise anyone in the area to remain vigilant until the full circumstances of the death are established."
Mrs James, who lives in The Crescent, Aylesham, became a PCSO in 2007.
Before joining the force, she worked for Kent County Council in a learning resource centre but wanted to get out and about more.
Neighbours described Julia - formerly Julia Ghost - as “friendly”.
A couple who asked not to be named said: “She’s the same age as our daughter - they went to school together.
“We have known her since she was four years old. She was always friendly - a nice woman.”
The couple added they believe Julia moved to Snowdown around 10 years ago.
They said the tiny hamlet was usually “quiet”.
“Everyone keeps themselves to themselves, more or less,” they added.
“You pass people, they say hello and that’s it."
Charles Woodgate, a councillor representing Aylesham, Eythorne and Shepherdswell, described the incident as a "tragedy".
Linda Keen, councillor for Aylesham, Eythorne and Shepherdswell, said: "It's absolutely dreadful news and a tragedy for the woman, her family and the local community who must be in shock.
"This sort of incident is very atypical for Aylesham and doesn't really happen here.
"I'm sure the police will do absolutely everything they can to establish what has happened."
Fellow Dover District Councillor for the ward Peter Walker said: "Police have a large cordon in place and continue to search after the woman's body was found. It seems very serious.
"It is a tragedy for the locals and will shock this usually peaceful community without a shadow of a doubt. This kind of thing doesn't happen here."
A fire crew also attended the scene some two hours after the discovery to assist police, according to a Kent Fire and Service spokesman who would not say why their attendance was required.
Kent Fire and Rescue added: "Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called at 18.22 to assist Kent Police in Aylesham Road, in Snowdown, Dover.
"One fire engine attended."
