The hunt is back on for the killer of a Sutton policeman who was gunned down almost eight years ago to the day.

Police have re-opened the investigation into the murder of PC Patrick Dunne in the hope scientific advances and the passage of time will lead them to his killer the second time around.

PC Dunne, who lived in Basinghall Gardens, Sutton, was 44 when he was shot after investigating a disturbance at an address in Cato Road, Clapham, on October 20, 1993.

A musician called William Danso had been shot dead moments earlier.

At the time, three men were arrested in connection with the killing, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided to drop the case a year later because of insufficient evidence.

Now the case has been re-opened as part of the Metropolitan Police's regular review of murder cases, and a team of detectives from the Serious Crime Group has been dedicated to the inquiry.

A police spokesman said: "It is anticipated all potential witnesses will be contacted again and fresh appeals will be made in the near future. We are re-examining these murders with an open mind."

Scotland Yard looks at all unsolved murders on a regular basis, and is hoping scientific advances such as DNA testing will help investigators solve the case this time round.

A spokesman admitted there were "major disadvantages" with investigating a case eight years on, but said there might also be factors which could help.

"Relationships and loyalties can change over time and people may feel more able to come forward," he said.

At the inquest into the double murder in 1998, a coroner at Southwark Crown Court returned verdicts of unlawful killing.

Detective Chief Superintendent Brian Tomkins said at the time: "Officers who worked with PC Dunne, and those who didn't, were deeply affected by his murder and it outraged the local community.

"He was the community policeman who cycled unarmed down Cato Road to help a member of the public who had called for assistance. He was not in a position to deal with what he met there."

Call the incident room on 020 8247 8275 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information.

October 26, 2001 12:00