POLICE have offered a £20,000 reward to help catch the killers of a have-a-go-hero.

Father-of-one Sukhwinder Singh chased after two men he had seen mugging a woman in Loxford Road, Ilford, before being knifed through the heart at the junction of Victoria Road and Uphall Road at around 6.40pm on Friday January 8.

The 31-year-old, of Harts Lane, Barking, was taken to the Royal London Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Police have announced the reward today (Wednesday), for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

Officers have issued CCTV footage of people they are keen to trace in connection with Mr Singh's death.

They also wish to trace a silver Samsung E250 mobile 'phone belonging to the woman he tried to help before he was stabbed.

Neither the woman's handbag which contained the phone or the mobile has been recovered, but officers investigating the case believe they might have been left in a garage area near Charlton Crescent (close to Bastable Avenue) in Barking, about one and half miles from where Mr Singh was killed.

Two teenagers told police they saw a bag of a similar description hanging from a fence in the area on Thursday January 14 - a week after the murder but that it had gone when they returned the next day.

Tonight (Wednesday) officers will launch a fresh appeal for information in the area where the handbag was seen, as well as in Ilford Lane, Barking, where the killers probably headed after the stabbing.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Clayman, who is leading the investigation, said: "We still need the public's help in tracing those responsible. I am quite sure that those involved have spoken to others about it and I need them to do the right thing and come forward.

"In relation to the outstanding property, did you see the handbag or mobile 'phone in the garage area off Charlton Crescent? Were you offered a silver Samsung slide phone in January?

"If you have any information at all, however insignificant you think it might be, please contact us as soon as possible."

One of the suspects is described as black, 5ft 10in to 6ft tall, skinny with a young face and wearing a black hooded top and light grey jogging bottoms.

The second is thought to be a lighter-skinned black man, 6ft tall, of stocky build with possible facial markings or facial hair.

He was wearing a light blue hooded top with markings on the sleeves at the time of the stabbing.

Police believe there may may have been more than two suspects involved in the incident.

DCI Clayman said: "Though some arrests have been made, we stress that the investigation continues and we still need help from the public - all our points of appeal are still relevant.

"We need to hear from anybody who witnessed the initial robbery, the actual stabbing and anyone who may have seen suspects running away from the Uphall Road area."

The missing handbag is described as brown leather with a light and dark brown pattern, 10 to 12 inches in length with two side zips, one straight and one curved, and two straps with a buckle on one.

In addition police want to trace two black men seen at around 6.30pm on the day of the murder in Tanner Street, Barking.

DCI Clayman said: "These men were near a dark-coloured car. We need to eliminate them from inquiries."

Anyone who can assist should call the incident room on: 8345 3775; if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on: 0800 555 111.