Police appeal for calm

9:15am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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POLICE chief Julian Kirby has appealed for calm in Devizes following the killing of Barry Cooper.

Tensions were running high following the death of the 28-year-old on Saturday.

On Monday night seven people from Devizes were arrested for public order offences including three members of Mr Cooper's family and they appeared before Chippenham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Superintendent Kirby, who is commander of the county police division, said: "We have put extra officers on to the streets of Devizes this week to provide reassurance to the public. These extra officers have come from all over the county.

"Barry Cooper was well known in the town and emotions are running high.

"In these circumstances the very best way of preventing any further disorder or crime is to have a high visible and robust police presence.

"The officers have a clear remit from me that they will not tolerate crime and antisocial behaviour, however well intentioned the reasons are.

"Taking the law into their own hands never ever helps.

"A man has been charged with the murder of Barry Cooper and it's in the interests of the family of Barry and the people of Devizes for calm to be retained and for the focus for the police to be supporting the family and with the investigation."

Barry Cooper's father, Michael Cooper, re-iterated this message.

He said: "We loved Barry dearly and will miss him desperately but I must ask everyone in the town to keep calm following his death and to help the police with their inquiries in whatever way they can."

Devizes MP Michael Ancram said the stabbing highlighted the increase in knife crime in the country.

He said: "Obviously this is a very sad time for the family of Barry Cooper and all our thoughts go out to them.

"At the same time this is a symptom of a very worrying trend in our society, not just in Devizes but more widely, and we all really must address the whole problem of knife crime in a way that it has not been addressed in the last few years.

"We must make it clear to anyone carrying a knife that the penalties are very severe."

Devizes mayor Jane Burton also sent her condolences to the Coopers. She said: "I feel sorry for the family of Mr Cooper at losing a son and a brother. It's an awful thing to happen and nobody should die in that way.

"A lot of other crime has decreased in Devizes but to have two violent deaths in Devizes in the last ten months is awful. I am impressed with the police response and the increased police presence in the town, I'm sure that has given residents confidence."