A VIRTUAL reality video could help solve the mystery of a police officer's murder 17 years ago.

The computer-generated film was compiled from police and press photographs taken during London's Broadwater Farm riots in 1985, when Sunderland-born PC Keith Blakelock was hacked to death.

It shows where all the original suspects and witnesses claimed they were at the time, and will be used to determine if they were telling the truth.

The video has been produced as part of a renewed bid to bring PC Blakelock's killer to justice following the conviction and subsequent clearing of Winston Silcott.

Silcott, now 43, was found guilty of murdering the officer in 1987 but was sensationally cleared by the Court of Appeal four years later amid allegations that senior detectives had fabricated evidence. He was awarded £50,000 damages. He is now serving a life sentence for the murder of boxer Anthony Smith.

Earlier this month, Silcott provoked a storm when he was photographed in a shopping centre while on day release.

Forty officers began a major review of the original Blakelock inquiry 18 months ago.

It is understood that several new witnesses have come forward, who are willing to testify against members of the 300-strong mob of rioters.

The video's production is thought to coincide with the scrapping of the double-jeopardy rule, which stops defendants from being tried for the same crime twice.