£50k reward to solve Packham arson mystery
Businessman ‘wants to get to the truth’ after a Land Rover was set alight outside TV host’s home
A MYSTERY businessman has offered a £50,000 reward to capture a gang who carried out an arson attack at the home of the nature presenter Chris Packham.
The BBC Springwatch host and his family were shaken when a stolen Land Rover exploded after being set ablaze outside the gates of their home in the New Forest in Hampshire, last October.
Suspicion fell on hunting supporters thought to be targeting Mr Packham because of his vocal opposition to bloodsports. But there was also speculation online that the attack might be the work of animal rights activists trying to discredit their opponents.
A year on there have been no arrests despite appeals with detailed CCTV footage of the culprits. Now a wealthy man hopes to “finally get to the truth”.
He told an intermediary he was bewildered at the fact no arrests had been made. The source added: “There has been plenty of chatter, almost all of it inaccurate, on both pro and anti-country sports groups on social media in the last 12 months. Someone, somewhere has information to unlock exactly what went on here, who is responsible and what they hoped to achieve. This donor thinks something doesn’t add up.”
In a statement the benefactor said: “I have watched this story unfold with amazement. I cannot believe the police have not made a single arrest given the amount of evidence they have.”
Detectives established that a Mitsubishi Shogun, containing at least one of those involved, was bought in Somerset on Oct 7 2021 and made several trips between Southampton and Dorset.
The same evening it stopped at a Co-op petrol station in Bournemouth. At 11pm a Land Rover Discovery was stolen in Southampton before travelling in convoy with the Shogun and a low loader to the New Forest.
Then, at 12.22am on Oct 8, the Land Rover parked up against the gates to Mr Packham’s home, and three minutes later was set alight by one of the men.
Mr Packham told BBC Crimewatch it was to stop him campaigning against bloodsports. The day after the fire he presented a 100,000 signature petition to Buckingham Palace calling on the Royal family to conserve nature on their estates and reintroduce wild animals.
Mr Packham has been targeted before with dead animals including badgers, crows and foxes left at the same location. He also claims to have received credible death threats and excrement through the post.
After the attack he told the BBC: “If you think that by burning down those gates that I’m suddenly going to become a supporter then you’re wrong. I will just carry on because I have no choice.
“I cannot and will not let your intimidation sway me from my cause.”
CCTV which had been installed at Packham’s home captured the entire incident but Hampshire Police have not identified the balaclava wearing pair.
The mystery benefactor, who claims he is not a hunting, shooting or fishing enthusiast, has appealed on a website to a number of potential parties which he believes could help.
These include professional car thieves, dock workers, scrap dealers or individuals in South Africa who may have handled the other vehicles used in the incident.
Any information, which can be passed to the mystery businessman via the Country Squire blog, will be forwarded to Hampshire Police.