Clair Ablewhite Murder: Did you see man on bicycle?

Detectives investigating a murder have released new footage of a cyclist who they want to trace.

It follows CCTV that was issued yesterday of a man on foot in the street outside the house where mother-of-three Clair Ablewhite, 47, was murdered in a knife attack in Colston Bassett last Friday. Her body was discovered on Saturday.

Officers believe it is the same man in both pieces of footage.

In the latest CCTV, which be seen below, the man can be seen the man can be seen with a rucksack on his back cycling around the village between 9pm and 11.45pm.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "I'd really like to thank all of the people who came forward yesterday following our appeal and also to the thousands of people who viewed it and shared it widely on social media. Your information is now being followed up by a team of detectives and could prove crucial as this investigation progresses.

"The strength of feeling in the community following this tragic incident has been really touching and a lot of people have come forward to offer information and support.

"Information from the public is absolutely crucial and every piece of information we gather helps us get closer to an understanding of the events of that night - so please keep it coming.

"CCTV enquiries are progressing all the time and helping us build up a picture of what was happening in and around the area of the murder at the relevant times.

"This latest piece of footage leads us to believe that the person we are trying to trace - who was seen outside Clair's house at a really significant time - travelled close to the scene on a bicycle before leaving it somewhere nearby and continuing on foot as he approached the house.

"We have also released a map of the area showing where the man was seen. Please look at this and try to recall whether you were in the area at the time and whether you saw anything that could help us.

Mother of three Clair Ablewhite who was murdered in a knife attack in Hall Lane, Colston Bassett on Friday 25th February. Photo: Nottinghamshire Police.

"It may be that this triggers someone's memory of seeing someone on a bike that night and if it does I would ask that you come forward immediately to tell us what you saw. Perhaps you have dash-cam footage of a cyclist in and around Colston Bassett on Friday night that may also be the man we want to trace and whose movements we want to pinpoint."

ACC Griffin also urged people to come forward with any other information that could help the enquiry.

"What I would also now ask is that people stay alert for sudden or suspicious changes in people's behaviour. It may be that now these pieces of footage have been released it causes a change in how someone acts. If you notice something, please contact us," he said.

"As I have already said, we believe that the person in question is relatively local based on some of the information we have gathered as part of our enquiries and this footage of the man on a bicycle is one of the reasons for that."

Reassurance patrols have been stepped up in the Colston Bassett area and officers are also continuing to carry out house-to-house enquiries as they follow up a number of lines of enquiry.

Investigation teams in Hall Lane, Colston Bassett on Monday. Photo: George Icke.

Anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting a new incident number, 277 of 3 March 2022, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

People can also report information through an online portal, here