Police Appeal for the murder of John Kennedy. Photo: Metropolitan Police

A £3o,000 reward for information to help solve a 17-year old East End murder was launched on Facebook today by the Metropolitan Police

John Kennedy, 31, a father-of-two, was stabbed following an altercation outside the Railway Arms pub, in Stepney in February 1997.

At the time, a suspect was charged but not convicted of the crime, and the case lay cold until 2010 when it came under review.

There was renewed interest in the case after a stranger handed in a note at George’s Town Hall, Cable Street in November 2013. The note suggested that the stranger had seen a man with a knife and that he might know the identity of the murderer.

No further contact details were left and the police are urging him to come forward as a witness.

Police say that there were around 60 other people drinking in the pub at the time of the fight.

In a statement, Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command said that certain witnesses may have more information but are hesitant to come forward: “We understand they might be scared or have some misplaced loyalty towards the person or people who did this. They may think John’s murder was so long ago and that what they have to say won’t matter – but it does matter and any new information or witnesses could make all the difference and allow us to catch John’s killer.”

Police are also looking to hear from anyone who may have seen a man running though the Shadwell Gardens estate immediately following the murder.

Sandlin said: “His family have lived for 17 years now with the heartache of not seeing anyone behind bars for John’s murder. They deserve to see justice done.”

If you believe that you may have any information involving this crime, or that you might know someone who does, please contact the incident room IN CONFIDENCE  on 020 8345 3865 or 07785 555969.