Help multiple murder investigation for £10k reward

Embargoed until: 00.01 21 August 2009

Crimestoppers, the independent crime-fighting charity, is offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Shahid Mohammed who is wanted in connection with an arson attack that killed eight people from the same family. 

The fatal fire happened in the early hours of Sunday 12 May 2002 and claimed the lives of three generations. Muhammad Ateeq-ur-Rehman, aged 18, Nefessa Aziz, aged 35, Tayyaba Batool, aged 13, Rabia Batool, aged 10, Ateeqa Nawaz, aged 5, Aneesa Nawaz, aged 2 and 6-month-old Najeeba Nawaz, all died in the fire in Osborne Road, Birkby (Yorkshire). Zaib-un-Nisa, aged 54 died in hospital a week later.

Three people have already been convicted for this arson attack and Shahid Mohammed is a fourth suspect. He would now be aged 26 and was arrested during the initial phases of the murder investigation and detained by police. He was later released on bail as there was insufficient evidence to hold him any longer. Further evidence was later obtained by which time Mohammed had already fled.

It is believed that he has links with London, Birmingham and Leicester.

Dave Cording, Crimestoppers' Director of Operations, said: “We are appealing to the Muslim community who may know of the whereabouts of this dangerous individual. Ramadan is a time of community spirit, for reflection and carrying out civic duties, it is surely a civic duty to help make communities safer by helping law enforcement track down criminals. If you have information, I can assure you that any contact with Crimestoppers, which is not part of the police, is 100 per cent anonymous and this includes payment of rewards. No names are taken, calls are not traced or recorded and you won't have to appear in court. Please tell us what you know not who you are.”

The Muslim Council Britain is also urging people to pass on vital information: “The Qur'an tells Muslims to assist and support the doing of good deeds and never to support any evil deeds. It is therefore the duty of every Muslim to assist the law enforcing agencies and the charity Crimestoppers by giving any information that they might have which could assist the Police with their investigations to bring criminals to justice.”

To view a picture of Shahid Mohammed, visit the Most Wanted section of Crimestoppers' website www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Information can be passed to Crimestoppers either by calling 0800 555 111 or via the online form on the website. Crimestoppers can take information in any language.

-ENDS-

Further information

For more information contact Crimestoppers' press office.

Notes to editors

• 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.
• Around 19 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every four days is charged with murder.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 91,000 arrests and charges. Over £167 million worth of property has been recovered and over £160 million worth of drugs.
• In 2006, 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 500 arrests to date from 2.5 thousand appeals posted.
• 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.
• In September 2007, Crimestoppers launched a youth website ShadowCS.co.uk which allows young people to give information anonymously online.