Huddersfield - £20,000 reward for information on the tragic death of Joe McCafferty

We're appealing for information, given to us anonymously, relating to the death of seven-year-old Joe McCafferty in Huddersfield - and offering a reward of up to £20,000.

On the morning of Saturday, 3rd May 1997, emergency services were called to a house fire in Marsh, Huddersfield, where Joe and his brother Nicky had been staying overnight with their aunt, Deborah McCafferty. 

While Nicky survived after suffering from smoke inhalation, tragically, Joe was found lifeless in the rear bedroom of the house. Despite extensive efforts by medical professionals, Joe succumbed to smoke inhalation and shock later that day.

Investigations confirmed that the fire had been deliberately started with an accelerant, maliciously placed through the letterbox of the front door. The case remains unsolved, with no one yet charged in connection with Joe’s murder or the arson attack. 

As an independent charity, we're offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons linked to the incident.

If you have information, you can tell us any time of the day or night and remain 100% anonaymous - no one except you will ever know you contacted us. Call free on 0800 555 111 or fill in our quick and easy online form, here on our website:

Give information anonymously

“From the outset of this investigation we have firmly believed that the answers to this horrendous crime would be found in the Huddersfield area.

“It is now 28 years since Joe’s life was taken so cruelly and so suddenly, and we remain committed to finding those responsible, so Joe’s family can get the justice that they deserve.

“My message to the people of Huddersfield is clear – if you have any information about who was responsible for the fire then please come forward - either to my team or to the independent charity Crimestoppers, who are offering an enhanced reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

“Joe's family have waited a very long time to find out who was responsible for his death. If you can help to provide those answers then now is the time to come forward and tell us what you know.”

Detective Chief Inspector Damian Roebuck

“If you have any information about this horrific incident but are worried about coming forward, please remember that Crimestoppers is a charity and guarantees 100% anonymity.

"We do not take your personal details; we only want to hear what you know. Once you've contacted us, you'll be the only person who knows you reached out to us, unless you choose to tell someone.”

Gemma Gibbs, Yorkshire & Humber Regional Manager at Crimestoppers

Please note: information passed directly to the police will not qualify for a reward.

Anonymity: Crimestoppers guarantees complete anonymity, meaning that people who call or contact us online can pass on what they know without ever giving any personal details. Computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.
 
Claiming a reward: The reward will only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police. A reward code must be asked for when calling our charity on 0800 555 111. If you contact us via our online form anonymously, the 'keeping in contact’ facility must be used and a reward code must be requested on your initial contact.
 
More details about the rewards process – at the heart of which is ensuring you stay 100% anonymous - can be found here.

May 2 2025