An innocent man who was shot dead in his car in Streatham may have been the victim of a road rage attack, according to police.

Andre Aylward, 27, died after being shot while driving home along Valleyfield Road in the early hours of May 12. Police are now considering the possibility the gunman followed Mr Aylward home in another car after being involved together in a minor road traffic incident.

The new theory follows a reconstruction of the event on BBCs Crimewatch programme last week. The programme received a number of phone calls following the broadcast, which police believe have provided significant new information.

DCI Ken Pandolfi leading the investigation said: Soon after the appeal was broadcast a caller rang in to the programme and spoke with a detective for almost 15 minutes. They gave a lot of interesting information and we need them to contact us again. I can promise them their information will be treated in strict confidence and everyone who approaches us will be treated with the utmost care and sensitivity.

Police believe the incident which may have triggered the gunmans anger took place in Knights Hill, either in Crown Lane where it turns into Streatham Common North, or at the junction of Leigham Court Road and Valleyfield Road.

Reports suggest Mr Aylward had swerved his distinctive black BMW in front of a light-coloured car, but neither car stopped.

Mr Aylward, the manager of a shop in Streatham Vale, was shot a number of times in the head while still in his car before he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a garden just yards from his home. He was taken to Kings College Hospital where he later died.

Speaking after the shooting, Mr Alywards father Alan, a research physicist at University College London, said: We are shocked and devastated this has happened and if any of the public can help us to understand why it did please contact the police.

A reward of £7,500 is currently available from the Met for information which substantially helps the investigation.

Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 020 8247 8261 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

By.Nino Williams