Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is today offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person/s responsible for the murder of an elderly woman in Cambridgeshire. [22 January 2013]

The 86-year-old victim, who was last seen on Friday 11 January, was found in her bungalow in Magazine Lane, Wisbech, at 10.45am on Sunday 13 January. She had spoken to a friend on the telephone at about 5pm on the Saturday.

A post-mortem examination found she had died from stab wounds to her neck and chest. In what appears to be an effort to hide her injuries and destroy evidence, her clothing was set on fire after her death.

Ann Scott, Crimestoppers Eastern Regional Manager, said: “This innocent lady was violently killed and robbed of her life in her own home.

“It is saddening news that individuals can commit such crimes and go as far as burning the victim’s clothing in an attempt to hide their hideous acts of malice. This community has been left shocked and horrified by this crime.

“If anyone knows anything at all about what happened and who is responsible for this crime then please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our secure online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

“The charity is offering this reward to help get to the bottom of who is responsible for this murder. All genuine information is valuable to us so please get in touch.”

The reward is available to anyone not involved in the crime who gives information that leads to an arrest and conviction via 0800 555 111.

*Note: Rewards will only qualify for information coming into our 0800 555 111 number.

ENDS

For more information please contact PR &Media Officer Giselle Lares on 0208 835 3737 or email giselle.lares@crimestoppers-uk.org

Notes to Editors:

• Reward should not be published after April 21 2013. Please contact the Crimestoppers press office for update after this date.
• Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information’ form via our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org which can also be accessed by internet-enabled mobile phones.
• Around 22 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in almost 119,000 arrests and charges. Over £124 million worth of goods has been recovered and over £273 million worth of drugs has been seized.
• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK’s Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 1,800 arrests to date.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers’ ‘call to action’ is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.