CRIMEWATCH BID TO CATCH DARREN’S MURDERER
Police offer £20k reward for information on 2002 killing
THE murder of a man stabbed to death after a street party over two decades ago will be examined by experts on BBC’s Crimewatch tonight.
Darren Birt, 22, was found lying on the road in Calvay Place, Barlanark, Glasgow, with stab wounds in the early hours of Wednesday, August 28, 2002.
It is believed Darren was involved in an altercation at a gathering on Burnmouth Road before he was chased from Edinburgh Road towards Burnett Road and attacked with hammers and knives.
He was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but died from his injuries – with police still searching for his killer over 20 years on.
Three men were charged but never prosecuted.
Darren’s father Brian wrote a book describing his killing as “the forgotten murder” and successfully campaigned for a new investigation.
Detectives relaunched their probe in March this year and appealed to members of the public who may hold key information.
Now a team of experts from BBC’s Crimewatch will examine the case for the first time.
A reconstruction of the incident, produced by Crimewatch and Police Scotland’s Major Investigations Unit, will be broadcast.
Residents living close to the crime scene near to Calvay Place and Burnett Road received letters from police on Wednesday.
Investigators urged locals to watch the BBC reconstruction carefully in the hope it can provide leads.
The force has also offered a reward of up to £20,000 for information that leads to the killer’s arrest.
Detective Inspector Lynsey Watters said in the letter: “I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to watch the reconstruction. If you have any information at all regarding this incident I would urge you to contact the major investigations teams of Police Scotland.
“Should you wish to protect your identity you can call Crimestoppers anonymously. Crimestoppers is an organisation that is completely independent of the police.
“Should you have any information, please contact any of the numbers listed, quoting incident number EB06340802 of August 28, 2002.”
Calvay Housing Association has residents living in the area and shared the letter on social media.
A spokesperson said: “We are saddened by the death. We would encourage people to come forward if they have any information and support the police with their inquiry.”
Police Scotland and the BBC were approached for comment.