Hi °C | Lo °C Detectives in England have put up a £10,000 reward for information from Londonderry’s Polish community to track down the killer of a fellow Pole in Southampton.
Hampshire Constabulary has put up the reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the person who murdered 45-year-old Wieslaw Filus (right).
They have followed up several leads in Southampton and Hampshire but believe the wider Polish community — especially in Northern Ireland — may hold the answer.
Detectives believe there is a strong link between the Polish communities, with some having travelled from Southampton to work in Northern Ireland, particularly Derry.
Mr Filus was found dead in his Denzil Avenue bedsit in Southampton on Saturday, July 18, 2009. A post-mortem found he had been assaulted and died from a brain haemorrhage. Southampton police believe he was attacked on Friday, July 17.
Detective Inspector Dave Smith of the Major Crime Department said: “We've followed several leads in this case but we would like to hear from anyone who has information that would bring Mr Filus's killer to justice and give his family some answers.
He added: “We know the Polish communities in both Southampton and Northern Ireland, particularly around Derry, have strong links and we believe there is a good chance someone in the Polish community in Ulster may be able to help us find the person responsible for this murder in Southampton.
Anyone with information is asked to contact 0845 045 45 45 or Polish speakers can call 02380 599 969. They can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 but police will need personal details for the reward.
