His bravery tragically resulted in him losing his life”

nearby had taken a handbag from the Maple Leaf pub that night.

Between 10.15pm and 10.30pm it is believed DC Morrison spotted a suspect involved in the theft. He challenged the man outside the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden Piazza where he was threatened with a knife.

The suspect fled and DC Morrison gave chase, ditching his coat and jacket, following the offender, but in Montreal Place, now called India Place, he was stabbed and killed. No weapon has ever been found.

Close friend of DC Morrison and serving police sergeant, Colin Geddes, said: “Jim and I met at Bow Street Station early in our service.

“We were best men at each others’ weddings. He was a fun man to be around and I had a lot of respect for him as a colleague. His death has left a tremendous gap in the lives of those who knew him.”

Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1964, DC Morrison joined the Met Police in 1983 and was posted to what was then Bow Street Police Station.

He is described as a keen and enthusiastic officer and joined the criminal investigation department (CID) in 1988. He married his wife Victoria the same year.

Senior investigating officer in the case, Detective Inspector Will Reynolds, from the homicide and major crime command, said: “I still think that the key to identifying his killer will be through continued help and information from the community, particularly in the north African community, living and working in London’s West End in 1991.

“DC Morrison trying to protect died the public from a violent offender. He was off duty, unarmed and in plain clothes. With no regard for his own personal safety he chased the offender through the streets in order to arrest him. His bravery and dedication to duty tragically resulted in him losing his life.

“Over the have followed years, we leads in Germany, Belgium, Canada, France and Ireland in attempting to solve this case. I believe there are people who still hold vital information about who is responsible for DC Morrison’s murder.”

The offender was described as being of Algerian or north African origin, 5ft 10 ins tall, and aged between 27 and 30.

He was medium build, clean shaven and had dark collar-length hair, with distinctive tight curls at the front. He was also wearing a tan or brown leather jacket.

Call 020 8721 4205. with information.