Police hunting boy's arson killer follow up new leads

DETECTIVES investigating the death of a seven-year-old boy in an arson attack more than a decade ago are chasing new leads after an appeal on Crimewatch.

By The Newsroom

Published 1st Oct 2010, 00:09 BST

Updated 1st Oct 2010, 00:10 BST

Yesterday, the detective leading the investigation said there had been a positive response to the appeal asking for help following the 1997 death of Joe McCafferty in the attack on his aunt's home in Huddersfield.

Speaking after Wednesday's Crimewatch programme, Det Supt Dave Pervin, of West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said calls had been received offering new information. "We will now look into this information to see where it may take us," he added.

"Obviously for operational reasons I cannot go into more details but I am very pleased the programme was met with such a positive response."

Joe died in the fire at his aunt's home on Haywood Avenue in the Marsh area of Huddersfield on May 3, 1997.