Call for knife crime action after murder of man, 20
HEARTFELT tributes have poured in for a 20-year-old man whose death is at the centre of a huge murder investigation in Batley.
Brad Gledhill died from his injuries after being attacked in Park Croft on Sunday night.
He was rushed to hospital but could not be saved and his death has sparked an outpouring of emotion on Facebook with friends and relatives posting tributes in memory of the alleged murder victim.
Relative Leah Wisher, who described Brad as her “best friend”, wrote: “REST EASY MY BROTHER! I love you and I will see you again!!”
She claimed that Brad was “beaten and stabbed to death” before adding “He didn’t deserve this! No one does! I miss you so much already mate.”
Another friend, who posted a poignant tribute on Brad’s Facebook page, said: “A prayer goes out for my boy Brad Stu. Karma will get the b ****** s, till then rest easy up there brother, taken way too soon.”
Someone else wrote: “I will miss you good friend. R.I.P. With the angels in the sky I hope they take good care of you till we meet again. ”
The circumstances of Brad’s death have not yet been revealed by West Yorkshire Police but community activist Tanisha Bramwell has been spurred on to challenge the authorities to end knife crime and gang culture in the wake of his death.
The 25-year-old, who is a community coordinator for Kirklees Council, has written a public letter to Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin.
On Facebook, she wrote: “After the horrific news, and after speaking with so many of Brad Gledhill’s friends and family I have written a letter to the MP Tracy Brabin.
“Myself, team and young people knew him. This is simply not good enough, how many more lives have to be lost and families torn apart before these needs are targeted? Please tag Tracy Brabin MP and share. I also urge you all to write to her!”
Miss Bramwell, who is running to become a councillor in Dewsbury in the elections next year, said she is determined to end gang culture and prevent further tragedies in Kirklees.
“Gang culture, knife crime and antisocial behaviour are the three top priority things that need to be tackled not just in Batley but in Dewsbury, Heckmondwike and across a lot of Kirklees.
“It’s time local authorities and MPs worked together to target these issues as unless we target them it will only get worse.”
Tanisha added: “I’ve spoken to his aunty and she sounds broken. There is no coming back from this and now it’s all about how you move forward.
“I didn’t know Brad very well and I never worked with him one-to-one but I knew that in my eyes he was not a trouble causer. It’s a big shock.
“From reports it sounds like a gang turned up but regardless it doesn’t matter why it’s happened - there is no reason why this happened.”
West Yorkshire Police said they were called to Park Croft in Batley just before 10.30pm on Sunday night after reports of a group of up to ten people fighting.
Two people have been arrested. A 19-year-old Batley man was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident and a 31-yearold man from Heckmondwike has been arrested on suspicion of affray.
Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Vanessa Rolfe of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “A number of active enquiries are ongoing.
“We have so far arrested a man for murder and another man in connection with the disorder itself and will leave no stone unturned as we continue to seek other persons involved.
“I would ask anyone at all who saw or has any information about what took place on Park Croft or who saw parties involved fleeing the scene to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team or the independent Crimestoppers charity.”
Detective Superintendent Jim Griffiths of Kirklees Police, said: “These sort of offences are treated exceptionally seriously by Kirklees Police and we continue to deploy significant resources into combatting offending of this kind.”
Contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team on 101 referencing number 1320031042. Information can also be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.