Big response to BBC appeal for attack on Salterforth couple (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Big response to BBC appeal for attack on Salterforth couple

5:14pm Friday 27th February 2009 in

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ALMOST 200 calls have been received following an appeal on TV programme Crimewatch into the savage beating of an 89-year-old war veteran.

Police said more than 150 members of the public contacted the Crimewatch programme last night after seeing the reconstruction into the attack on Bob Schofield and his wife Mollie, 87.

In addition, a further 30 to 40 calls were received at the incident room, at Burnley Police Station, officers said.

Yesterday detectives were still sifting through all the information received but confirmed there were new lines of enquiry.

Mr Schofield was left with horrific facial injuries after confronting burglars at his home, in Chapel Hill, Salterforth, in November.

Following the attack, just after Remembrance Sunday, the pensioner, who served in the Royal Navy in the Second World War, spent six weeks in hospital.

The move by detectives to use Crimewatch follows the arrest last year of 16 men in connection with the incident, who were later released without charge.

Acting Det Insp Dave Groombridge, of Nelson CID, said: "The public response to the appeal has been absolutely fantastic.

“More than 150 calls were received into the studio plus another 30 or 40 came into incident room at Burnley. While we are still sifting through these calls we have received detailed information including names and car registration numbers.

"It has thrown open a few new lines of enquiry and I want to thank members of the public for taking the time to come forward.”

Mr Schofield had gone to bed with his wife Mollie on the night of the attack.

At some point in the early hours of the morning the house was broken into, ransacked and he was physically beaten.

The attackers cut the phone wire so the couple could not get help. And Upon entering the house they broke the security light of the house opposite.

The next morning neighbours alerted Mr Schofield’s nephew Peter King, who lives just yards away, when they noticed the elderly couple’s curtains were still drawn.

DI Groombridge said: "If anyone else has information on this horrific incident I would urge them to contact police as a matter or urgency."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pendle CID on 01282 472644 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.