Fear drives men to take DNA test

By Chirag Trivedi
BBC News, London

Fear can either inspire people to do the right thing or it can deter them.

Jeremy Johnson was the second volunteer to be tested

And fear was a common theme when the Metropolitan Police began one of its largest ever DNA screening programmes on Monday.

Detectives hope up to 2,500 local men will volunteer to take a 15 minute test to help them find the serial sex killer of 18-year-old model Sally Anne Bowman.

Police set up the screening centre in a church on the busy Brighton Road in South Croydon, less than a mile from where Sally Anne was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death yards from her home last September.

It opened at 7am in the hope that a steady stream of commuters would walk in.

But at that time of the morning there were more people from the media than volunteers.

I'm here because I want to help, it's my duty Adam Billing DNA testing in model murder hunt

So it was not surprising when the first volunteer, Wayne Jordan, decided to make a quick exit as he feared facing the waiting press pack.

But after a few hours more men who fit the profile of being born between 1965 and 1985, and either white or light skinned, began to arrive.

At about 9am there were at least 20 men sitting in the waiting room being questioned by police and press alike.

They talked of duty, helping the community but nearly all speak of fear.

Adam Billing, 35, a househusband, said: "I'm here because I want to help, it's my duty.

"Since Sally was killed it has not been very nice round here. We all are all worried about our partners, wives and daughters walking the streets.

About 4,000 leaflets about the DNA testing were sent out

Lecturer Jeremy Johnson, 31, said: "I just wanted to get myself eliminated and the test will definitely help catch the killer. There's only a one in a billion chance you'll be wrongly convicted.

"We don't live far from where Sally was killed and my wife and I are scared."

Simon Osborne-Walker, 27, a journalist, said: "We are nervous and you also find when you have guests over, they are nervous about coming to Croydon and are asking you about it.

"This is quite drastic action taken by the police and so I want to help."

It may well be a drastic measure but Det Ch Insp Stuart Cundy said: "What we are trying to do is speed up the process.

"We can't visit all 4,000 men to eliminate them so this is the best way to do it.

"It takes less than 15 minutes, it doesn't hurt and your sample will not be kept on the national DNA database."

I would urge all the men to come forward. You are not just helping us. You are helping your wife, your daughter, your family Linda Bowman

Linda Bowman, Sally Anne's mother, along with two of Sally's sisters Danielle, 24, and Nicole, 23, will be at the church during the screening programme which will last two weeks.

Mrs Bowman also appealed for women who may know the killer to come forward.

"I want to ask woman who may feel inferior, who may be bullied or just through blind loyalty, are not saying something, to contact us.

"Myself and Sally's sisters will be here and you can talk to us in the strictest of confidence."

She added: "We get up in the morning and think `Another day to go through without Sally Anne'. It's a complete nightmare.

"I would urge all the men to come forward. You are not just helping us. You are helping your wife, your daughter, your family.

"If you are innocent you have nothing to fear."