Following the horrific murder of Paisley retailer Javaid Ali, police have said they are confident of catching his killer. The incident was profiled on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme late last month and police are following new leads as a result of the broadcast. A reward of £50,000 has been put up by retail groups the ACS and SGF for information leading to a conviction.
Det Ch Insp Duncan Sloan said: “We had a call from an anonymous male who named an individual responsible and stated that he’d seen a weapon that had been used. This is really encouraging and I would welcome this but I would ask him to please call back so we can speak to him.”
A second anonymous call also named a suspect.
Javaid died on 29th June after an attack in his Sunshine Grocers shop on Green Street in Paisley on 15th June. Over 60 police officers have been involved in the hunt
Crimestoppers, the Association of Convenience Stores and Scottish Grocers Federation are offering a reward of up to £50,000 for crucial information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person/s responsible for the murder.
Kate Jackson, National Manager for Crimestoppers, said: “This was a heinous crime and for this person/s to attack this shopkeeper so violently in his own establishment is a truly shocking crime. We are offering a reward of up to £50,000 to anyone who can supply us with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person/s responsible for this offence.”
The son of Javaid Ali, said: “Our family is absolutely devastated at the loss of my father. My dad did more than just own a business in the local area; he was an integral part of the spirit which keeps a community alive. I would urge anyone who has information to come forward to the police or the charity Crimestoppers.”
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman added: “For a retailer to be killed while just trying to do their job is horrific and tragic. The whole of our membership wants to come together to support the police in catching and convicting those responsible, and we hope that by offering this reward we can assist in bringing the culprits to justice.”
