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Last Updated: Tuesday, 14 September, 2004, 05:14 GMT 06:14 UK
New reward over Toni-Ann murder
Toni-Ann and Bertram Byfield
Toni-Ann with the man she thought was her father, Bertram Byfield
Detectives investigating the murder of a seven-year-old girl a year ago are now offering a �25,000 reward.

Toni-Ann Byfield was shot alongside Bertram Byfield, 41, a convicted crack dealer she thought was her father, at a flat in Harlesdon, north west London.

Police believe Mr Byfield was linked to a Jamaican drug cartel and may have been killed over a drug debt.

They are appealing, in particular, for information about a white-handled bread knife found near the murder scene.

Detectives think Mr Byfield had links to the British Link Up Crew, a "ruthless" group of Jamaican crack dealers running cocaine between the UK and Jamaica.

Det Ch Insp Neil Basu said Mr Byfield, formerly known as Anthony Pinnock, was owed �25,000.

Gang hierarchy

"It is possible that Anthony was trying to elevate himself within the hierarchy of this gang or was trying to call in a debt on their behalf and was killed as a result of his actions.

"Only someone in or close to this gang will have the information I need.

"They should search their conscience, look at their own children and try and imagine how the Byfield family are feeling every day."

Toni-Ann had come to the UK from Jamaica in 2000 to live in Birmingham with a woman, thought to be her aunt, who turned out to be one of Byfield's girlfriends.

An independent review criticised Birmingham Social Services which it said failed to check the suitability of Toni-Ann's carer, carry out a risk assessment and inform their counterparts in London that a vulnerable child was moving to their area.


WATCH AND LISTEN
The BBC's James Westhead
"The inquiry will make clear that social services failed a child at risk"



SEE ALSO:
Toni-Ann's wishes put her at risk
29 Apr 04  |  West Midlands
Toni-Ann 'killed over drug debt'
26 Jan 04  |  London
Toni-Ann's life 'washed away'
24 Oct 03  |  London
Community vigil for Toni-Ann
18 Sep 03  |  London
Inquiry into shot girl's care
17 Sep 03  |  London
Girl shot as she fled killer
15 Sep 03  |  London


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