Bounties of up to $1m will be offered to help solve NSW’s horrific cold cases

BOUNTIES of up to $1 million will be offered to help solve the state’s most horrific cold cases of missing children, murder and terrorism, in a massive overhaul of the reward system. The overhaul comes after calls from Mark and Faye Leveson — the parents of Matthew Leveson.

BOUNTIES of up to $1 million will be offered to help solve the state’s most horrific cold cases of missing children, murder and terrorism, in a massive overhaul of the reward system.

The new schedule of rewards will remove the $250,000 cap for information that solves outstanding crime and offer police more discretion.

Currently, the only case in the state offering a $1 million reward is that of missing boy William Tyrrell.

The overhaul comes after calls from Mark and Faye Leveson­, whose son Matthew’s body was found this year — 10 years after he went missing. Police Minister Troy Grant phoned the Levesons this week to inform them of the new policy, which will be announced today.

Police Minister Troy Grant will announce the new policy today. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Munoz

Earlier this week he called Mark and Faye Leveson­ whose son Matthew’s body was found this year — 10 years after he went missing. Picture: John Grainger

The rewards will not be automatically retrospective, existing cases can apply individually to be considered for the higher cash bounty.

Assistant Commissioner and Rewards Evaluation Advisory Committee chair Mark Jenkins said the reward system had not been ­reviewed in a long time and it was an opportunity to bring in a modern system for rewarding intelligence that solves crimes.

“This is more broad than homicide,” he said.

“It can relate to missing children under the age of 10, and other offences such as counter-terrorism and matters we wish to apply the top ­rewards scheme to.”

The only case in NSW offering a $1m reward is that of missing boy William Tyrell. Picture: AAP IMAGE/NSW Police

Labor leader Luke Foley had also committed to rewards of $1 million for crimes attracting a life sentence if elected.

Mr Leveson said he believed higher rewards gave victims and families “more dignity”.

“It’s a tool that raises awareness. I believe (it) will bring quicker solutions and also give families hope,” he said, adding he and Faye had “battled” to get the reward in Matthew’s case increased to $250,000. “It was a nightmare,” he said. “If this new system can save ­another family from going through this I’ll be happy.”

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Paul White, whose wife was stabbed to death in 1973 has been pushing for the $1 million reward for 18 months. Picture: Craig Wilson

Mr White’s wife Lynette. Picture: Supplied

Paul White, whose wife Lynette was stabbed to death in 1973, said when police offered $100,000 in her case it felt like a “kick in the guts” and the new reward should apply across the board: “I’ve been pushing for 18 months for $1 million to be the reward for every crime.”

Mr Grant stressed rewards should not be interpreted as a reflection of a victim’s worth.