£20,000 reward in search for killers of Darren Birt murdered in Glasgow in 2002

A £20,000 reward has been offered to anyone who can help police investigating a brutal murder in Glasgow two decades ago.

Darren Birt, 22, was killed in the Barlanark area of the city on August 27, 2002.

He had attended a gathering on Burnmouth Road when a fight broke out which spilt onto the street.

Having attended a local service station, Darren become involved in an altercation with another man.

Following that altercation, Darren waited at a nearby bus stop before being struck with a glass bottle and then chased by a group of individuals.

At around 1.30am, in the early hours of August 28, Darren was found lying on the road at Calvay Place with serious injuries to his body, believed to have been a stabbing.

The 22-year-old was taken by ambulance to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, but died a short time later.

A number of people have come forward with information following previous appeals in the last 20 years.

However, detectives believe that there may be other members of the public who have not yet come forward.

As part of a renewed appeal, senior investigating officer DCI Lynsey Watters will appear on BBC One’s Crimewatch programme on Friday, October 7.

A £20,000 reward is also being offered to anyone who contacts police with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

“Darren was only 22-years-old when he was murdered,” said Watters.

“His death was undoubtedly had an absolutely devastating impact on his family and it is important we do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.

“At the time of Darren’s murder, the public did assist and come forward with information, but I do believe that there are people still out there with information, who for whatever reason, have not spoken to the police.

“With today’s national television appeal, it is hoped that we may reach these people or jog someone’s memory for a detail that might have seemed insignificant at the time.

“If anyone out there has information that could assist us in getting justice for Darren, I would urge them to pick up the phone – call police via 101, call the programme or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.

“We have also set up a website that gives members of the public access to a form to send information directly to the Major Investigations Team.”

The portal can be accessed here.

Speaking in 2019, Darren’s father, Brian, accused authorities of not having done enough to secure a conviction, as well as lacking transparency in decision-making.

He stated his belief that the nature of his son’s case meant it did not receive adequate investigative resources.

Darren’s death was reported by STV News in 2002, but otherwise received little media attention with a total of four brief reports in local newspapers.

In an era before social media, there were no online pleas or tributes.

Brian indicated that the media and online vacuum contributed to his son’s case.