Crimestoppers offers £50k reward for new leads on Jill Dando murder

[4 August 2008]

A meeting has taken place today [4.08.08] between senior investigators and Assistant Commissioner John Yates at New Scotland Yard. The meeting was arranged to discuss potential next steps in the case of Jill Dando's murder.

The following can be attributed to Assistant Commissioner John Yates: “As with all unsolved murders, this case remains open and subject to review. A £50,000 reward from the charity Crimestoppers still remains available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Jill's murderer. We continue to appeal for any new information and keep an open mind in relation to this case.

This investigation has been subject to numerous reviews and assessments since 1999, by the Met's internal review group, the Crown prosecution service, Criminal case Review Commission, two senior independent Treasury Councils and the Court of Appeal.

This remains a Met police investigation, officers from the Homicide Command from the Specialist Crime Directorate, led by Commander Simon Foy, will today [4.08.08] begin the process of further assessment and scrutiny, of the available evidence, to establish whether there are further potential investigative leads in this case.

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Michael Laurie CBE, Chief Executive of Crimestoppers, added: “Over the passage of time there must be someone out there who knows something about the murder of Jill Dando. If that person is unable to go the police with that information then they can contact Crimestoppers in total anonymity. We do not ask for names and addresses; calls are not traced or recorded. We are only interested in what you know not who you are.”

[Ends]

For press enquiries contact

Hannah Daws
Head of Communications
Dir: 020 8254 3230
Mobile: 07900 694 904
Email: hannah.daws@crimestoppers-uk.org

Notes to editors

• Crimestoppers is an independent charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. Around 17 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every five days is charged with murder.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received a million actionable calls, resulting in over 86,000 arrests and charges. Over £101 million worth of property has been recovered and over £150 million worth of drugs.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.