A MURDER suspect on the run was warned today: We will never stop hunting you.

Shahid Mohammed, 20, of Huddersfield, vanished as detectives investigated the town's worst mass murder.

And today - almost two years on from a terrifying arson attack on a house in Birkby - police renewed their appeal for information about the man they want to question in connection with the multiple murder investigation.

Eight members of the Chishti family died after the petrol-bomb attack and fire in Osborne Road in the early hours of Sunday, May 12, 2002.

Hours after the attack, Mohammed, of Thornton Lodge, was arrested in the initial phases of the investigation.

He was detained by police as a result of extensions from court before being released on police bail, pending further inquiries.

But he fled and never answered that bail.

He has not been seen since.

The house ravaged by the awful fire has been rebuilt in recent weeks, but still stands empty.

Det Insp John Halstead, who is leading the investigation, said all inquiries had so far failed to trace Shahid.

"It is possible that Shahid may have changed his appearance and he might be using a different name.

"But someone, somewhere, knows where he is," said Det Insp Halstead.

He added: "It may be that, with the passage of time, someone who was unable to come forward and speak to us two years ago, might now be in a position to do so.

"I would urge them to contact us.

"There is no need to be afraid. You can contact us in complete confidence and we can protect you.

"Three generations of one family were murdered in this fire, including innocent children.

"This inquiry is not closed - and will not close until we apprehend Shahid Mohammed.

"It is right that he is pursued, for the family who lost their loved ones and for the community of Birkby and Huddersfield. Eight murders cannot be ignored."

He said more than 100 officers had worked on the murder inquiry, Operation Elvington. Shahid Mohammed was still in their thoughts.

"After he was bailed, more evidence came to light and he would have been re-arrested. But he vanished and we have had no concrete sightings of him since then," said Det Insp Halstead.

"He is a man brought up in Huddersfield and very much westernised and will be more suited to living in the UK than in Pakistan."

Inquiries have taken police to Pakistan and many parts of the UK, including London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leicester and Dorset. Police have made checks through Interpol and appeals on BBC Crimewatch twice - in February and September last year. They have received tip-offs and are following up new leads all the time.

Det Insp Halstead said: "It's two years on and the message is that the hunt will continue. We owe that to the people involved.

"These deaths affected so many people and for the Chishti family there is a final piece of the jigsaw not complete. They want this man brought to justice."

Anyone with any information as to Shahid Mohammed's whereabouts should ring the Huddersfield police helpdesk on 01484 436659 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

THE fatal house fire at 40 Osborne Road, Birkby, was the largest multiple murder investigation that West Yorkshire Police has had to face in almost three decades.

The last time so many people were murdered in one place in the county was the M62 coach bombing in 1973, when 12 people died.

In July, 2003, three Huddersfield men were tried at Leeds Crown Court for their part in the fire.

Shakiel Shazad, 23, was convicted of eight counts of manslaughter and jailed for 18 years.

Shaied Iqbal, 26, was found guilty of eight murders and jailed for life.

Nasar Hussain, 24, was convicted of manslaughter and was jailed for 18 years.