DETECTIVES are revisiting lines of inquiry in Bradford as they re-launch their investigation into a murder that has remained unsolved for two decades.

Michael Pritchard, 54, from Stoke-on-Trent, died instantly when he was run over and dragged along the road as he tried to stop his own delivery van being stolen in Kirk Langley, Derbyshire.

At the time – Wednesday, November 12, 1997 – police described the horrific incident as a "deliberate and callous act."

To mark the 20th anniversary of the death, detectives have issued a fresh appeal for information and believe that people in Bradford may hold "relevant information."

In February 1998, Derbyshire Police revealed they had been working with West Yorkshire Police to make a number of arrests.

Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus yesterday, a Derbyshire Police spokesman said: “We arrested a number of people from Bradford at the time of the murder. There is still a possibility someone in Bradford knows something about the perpetrators of this crime.”

Mr Pritchard had been in the process of delivering a parcel to a house in The Cunnery in Kirk Langley at 3.20pm, when he noticed his van manoeuvring behind him.

In an attempt to stop it being stolen, he stood in front of the van, but the vehicle was driven away at speed, running him over and dragging him a considerable distance. The driver was reported to be with two other men, who were in what is believed to have been an E-plate Bedford Rascal van.

Mr Pritchard’s van, a white Sherpa 200 with ‘Business Express’ livery, was driven out of the street and onto the A52, before being abandoned less than two miles away. The Bedford Rascal took the same route, picking up the murderer and driving away.

Detective Inspector Toby Fawcett-Greaves, leading the re-investigation for Derbyshire Police, said: “We have previously followed lines of enquiry in the Bradford area which we are re-visiting. We believe there may be people in the Derby and Bradford areas who hold relevant information in relation to this investigation and I would urge them to contact us.

“Did the people involved tell you anything following the incident? Were you friends with them or in a relationship with them at the time? If so please contact our investigation team.

“Forensics have improved a lot over the last 20 years and we will be re-examining material that was originally submitted.

“Although we are 20 years on we would like to get justice for Mr Pritchard’s family who have had to live all of this time with not knowing who murdered their husband and father.

“We would particularly like to speak to the driver and passenger of the Bedford Rascal van.

“We recognise the difference in their involvement in the crime to that of the murderer, but we believe they have the crucial information we are looking for to enable us to bring the murderer to justice."

At the time, the driver of Mr Pritchard’s van was described as white, aged 19 or 20, 5ft 9ins tall, medium build, with a round oval face and fair collar length hair which was thicker at the back. The driver of the Rascal van was white, 19-20 years-old with fair/ginger collar length hair and a gap in his upper left teeth. The passenger was white, in his late teens and had short light brown hair.

Anyone with any information should call detectives on 101, quoting incident number 409 of November 9, 2017, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.