New Leads in Barnsley Teen Murder

Detectives investigating the murder of 17-year-old Lindsey Scholes in Royston, Barnsley have said the four-day awareness and information-gathering exercise has been successful.

Lindsey, died after a fire was started deliberately in a friend's house on Milgate Street, Royston, where she was staying on Saturday, 8 September 2001.

South Yorkshire Police have worked on this case over the last ten years and made several arrests, however, no-one has yet been charged with her murder.

Over the last four days Officers and staff have been speaking to the community of Royston, handing out flyers and posters close to the scene of the fire and issuing messages on social media outlets and on websites to gain information on the fire that led to Lindsey's death in 2001.

Detective Superintendent James Abdy said: "There has been substantial police activity in Royston over the 10-year anniversary weekend of Lindsey's death, starting last Thursday. Officers have been making enquiries in the local community as well as answering phone calls in the incident room.

So far we have received in excess of 15 pieces of information from the anniversary appeal, which have generated new lines of investigation. This is very encouraging and reiterates our belief that the answer to this case rests in or around the local community of Royston from 2001. People from the community are telling us what they know and I hope that this will persuade others who may also be holding vital information to come forward.

In particular, I would like to appeal to anyone who is protecting the person responsible for this horrific attack to come forward and talk to us. You may not have wished to speak out in 2001, but 10 years on; this is your opportunity to tell us what you know.

I would also like to thank Lindsey's family for their support with this anniversary campaign and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."

Members of the public also helped raise the profile of this case by re-tweeting messages on Twitter and commenting on the appeal on Facebook.

Lindsey was staying with friends at 86 Milgate Street, Royston, when at around 4.30am, on Saturday 8 September, a fire was started deliberately at the door of the house. Lindsey was rescued by fire fighters and taken to Barnsley District General Hospital suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.