A FRESH appeal has been issued for a gunman wanted for a series of armed raids in the Strood area. Detectives have stepped up their hunt for Turkish-born Celal Ofori, releasing his photograph on BBC's Crimewatch programme.In an unusual step, his identity was released in a bid to catch the 27-year-old, who police want to question for an attempted murder at the Sportsman pub in Strood in July.

Shots were fired at a party through the back window of the pub in Brompton Road in the early hours of the morning. Police officers converged on a flat above Chris Care Hair Centre in Frindsbury Road but failed to track down Ofori.

They are keen to quiz Ofori about a raid at the Esso petrol station in Frindsbury Hill and a newsagents in Bryant Road. In a recent incident, a cashier was threatened with a hand-gun at the Bryant Road post office. the culprit fled empty-handed after the alarm went off.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Medway police on 01634 827055 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.