A NEW bid to find a schoolboy’s killer has been launched to mark the 12th anniversary of his death.

Police have again appealed for help to catch the arsonist who murdered seven-year-old Joe McCafferty.

Joe was at his aunt’s house on Haywood Avenue in Marsh when petrol was poured through the letterbox and set alight in the early hours of May 3, 1997.

Firefighters managed to pull the youngster from the blaze but he died in the arms of a policeman on the way to hospital.

A petrol container found at the scene was subject to detailed forensic examination and a large police investigation was launched.

But the killer has never been found.

Now posters have gone up around Huddersfield with a picture of Joe in a bid to encourage people to come forward.

The posters say: “Twelve years on, the investigation continues and police are still trying to establish who killed Joe McCafferty.

“Someone knows who is responsible and why this has happened.

“Are you that person?”

Chief Inspector Phill Wright, from Kirklees Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Neighbourhood policing team officers are currently placing posters within the local communities around Huddersfield to assist the investigation into the death of Joe McCafferty.

“We are now approaching the 12th anniversary of this incident and we hope they will bring some fresh information to the table.

“The posters contain a photograph of Joe along with details about the incident and police contact information.

“You can speak to your local neighbourhood policing team officers who are putting up the posters and tell them if you remember anything.

“This was a particularly tragic incident involving a seven-year-old boy.

“Please take time to look at the posters and think back to the time when this happened. If you know anything which could help us bring the culprits to justice, come forward immediately.”

Joe and his brother, Nicky, now 20, were staying with their aunt while their mother, Tracey, was in Norfolk.

Their cousins Chantelle and Shereen were also there.

Chantelle was awoken by the sound of the blaze at about 5am.

She roused Debra and Shereen and all three escaped through an upstairs window.

Nicky suffered serious burns to his body and arms in the inferno.

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or text 07786 200806.