FRUSTRATED detectives are pouring over television footage in a bid to identify people who could help solve a murder.
Police are becoming increasingly angry at the lack of response to their appeals for help in solving the murder of pensioner Arnold Hartley, a convicted paedophile.
Now detectives hunting the killers of the 73-year-old from Redcar are scrolling through closed- circuit TV footage to pinpoint people who were in the Queen Street area of Redcar at the time of his death.
Mr Hartley was found at his terraced home in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Detective Superintendent Brian Dunn, who is leading the hunt, said he was saddened by the lack of response from members of the public.
"So far we have only had a dozen calls offering help and information," he said. "People should put their prejudices to one side. This is the murder of an elderly man in his own home.
"Forget his past offending and help us catch the people responsible.
"Mr Hartley's home in Queen Street is near a busy corner and people will have been out and about at the crucial time we need to know about - on Saturday morning - and they should look to their conscience and call us."
A number of CCTV cameras cover the area near Mr Hartley's home and film has been seized covering the key time of the murder between midnight and 1am.
Mr Dunn said checking the camera footage would take time but that there were other ongoing inquiries connected with the case.
One caller has told the police he saw two young men running from the direction of the house in the early hours of Saturday.
One may have had no shoes on his feet.
Descriptions of the pair were released yesterday but they have not come forward. Mr Dunn said: "It may well be these men have been involved in the attack, simply heard about it or had nothing to do with the killing.
"But it is imperative they get in touch with the incident room."
Anyone with information is asked to ring (01642) 302626 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.
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