£50,000 reward to catch killer

Police investigating the murder of schoolgirl Amanda Dowler are offering a £50,000 reward for information that will lead them to her killer.

The 13-year-old, known as Milly, was abducted from Walton-on-Thames two years ago and detectives are convinced someone knows who is responsible.

The reward is being offered by Surrey police and Crimestoppers. Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Denholm, head of Surrey CID, said: "Someone, somewhere must know who is responsible for this. They have lived with this terrible secret for two years and now is the time to come forward with what they know.

"We have committed huge resources and gone to extraordinary lengths to crack this case. This is why we still have a number of open lines of inquiry. We remain determined to find whoever is responsible for Milly's murder and will not give up."

Meanwhile, detectives are to question M25 rapist Antoni Imiela over Milly's death. Imiela, who struck several times in Surrey, was jailed for a minimum of 20 years for raping three girls and four women aged between 10 and 52.

The 49-year-old railway worker from Kent was also convicted of the kidnap, indecent assault and attempted rape of a 10-year-old girl in Birmingham. The attacks took place between November 2001 and November 2002.

Milly was last seen leaving Walton-on-Thames railway station on her way home from school on 21 March 2002. Her body was found in Yately Heath Forest near Fleet, Hampshire, six months later.

Detectives believe she was taken to the site shortly after being abducted, but do not know if she was killed there or elsewhere. A post-mortem examination could not shed light on how she died or whether she was sexually assaulted. Police have never found her clothes, shoes, mobile phone or rucksack - all of which could provide crucial information.

Over the past two years the inquiry team at Guildford has received more than 6,000 calls. Nearly 4,000 statements have been taken and 4,300 vehicles checked. More than 640 items have been submitted for forensic testing. Mr Denholm said: " Detectives have had an overwhelming response from the public. They have given much helpful information that has enabled us to eliminate certain lines of inquiry."

Officers have been checking alibis of people who have committed similar crimes, interviewed known sex offenders in the area and eliminating from their inquiries people seen near Walton-on-Thames station and Yately Heath Forest.

Anyone with information can call Surrey police on 0845 125 2222, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.