Detectives'new plea to snare killer gang

The hard-working 63-year-old father-of-three was bludgeoned to death by young robbers who targeted his convenience store in Cowcliffe, Huddersfield, at the weekend.

Mr Singh's family released the picture of him as Chief Superintendent John Robins, the commander of Kirklees division, said a mobile contact point had been set up in the area.

Detectives believe the young men who attacked Mr Singh live locally and are looking for four men in their early 20s or late teens.

Two of the robbers were seen leaving the shop just before the alarm was raised. The other two were trapped for some time in the store by people from a nearby pub who became suspicious that a robbery was taking place. They were brought to the floor by the witnesses but managed to escape.

House-to-house enquiries are being conducted in the area and forensic examinations at the scene are continuing.

It has emerged that Mr Singh was involved in a similar incident last Thursday when two young men tried to snatch cigarettes and he tried unsuccessfully to stop the pair leaving. Police believe the same men were involved in the robbery on Saturday.

All four suspects were wearing black hooded tops and black or dark trousers.

Mr Robins hopes the fresh picture will encourage others to come forward with information.

He added: "The senior investigating officer, Det Supt Dave Pervin, has said that it is entirely possible that the suspects are local to the area and are known to others within the surrounding neighbourhoods.

"The smallest detail about this incident or about those involved could help paint a bigger picture. I would encourage anyone who has any information or suspicions to come forward.

"This contact point will not only be an opportunity for local people to provide information, but an easy place for them to ask questions if they are concerned about anything.

"This is a very distressing time for the family and the close community around them. People often have issues that they would like to discuss and we realise that.

"Clearly, we cannot enter into the specifics of what is an ongoing criminal investigation, but people may have individual concerns they would like to speak to the police about.

"I have been particularly encouraged by the continued support that both Mr Singh's family and the police have received from the community.

"I can assure everyone that investigating officers are currently doing all they can to locate those responsible."

Shopkeepers and small businesses in Kirklees will be able to get security measures including safes and panic alarms as part of a new project to protect small traders. Kirklees Council said the murder of Mr Singh emphasised the need for the new measures and the need to ensure retailers felt safe.

Coun Peter O'Neill, the authority's Cabinet member for safer stronger communities, said: "The terrible events of the last few days show how important it is for the council to continue focusing on this work.

"Though it is a tragic coincidence that the death of Huddersfield shopkeeper Gurmail Singh has come at the same time as the new Home Office funding, the need to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour is brought into even sharper focus."

Kirklees Council has won almost 50,000 funding to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour against traders which it is hoped will help them to feel safer.