DETECTIVES leading the hunt for the killer of Bonhill schoolgirl Caroline Glachan have told how their appeal for information has had an international response.

Friday marked the 21st anniversary of the discovery of 14 year-old Caroline's body.

She was found near the River Leven on Sunday, August 25 1996 and ever since then her killer has remained at large.

Friday also marked one year on from the re-investigation into the case by Police Scotland.

But detectives are certain that the answer to her murder lies in the local community.

And one year on from the reinvestigation, they remain hopeful that they will trace whoever is responsible for her murder.

Senior investigating officer, detective superintendent Jim Kerr told The Reporter:

“It's now been a year since we announced the reinvestigation into Caroline’s murder.

“A good amount of progress has been made since then and we've been working very closely with forensic scientists at the Scottish Crime Campus.

“The Scottish Crime Campus houses one of the most advanced DNA testing laboratories in Europe.

“A large number of the 300 pieces of evidence continue to be carefully examined for traces of DNA, and the painstaking work that the scientists have been carrying out continues.

“Following our re-appeal, we've had calls from as far away as Australia with information, from people who lived in the area of Bonhill and Renton at the time of the murder.

“Our work over the last year has continued to review the initial investigation and visiting those who were witnesses at the time to take reference samples of DNA.

“We remain in contact with Caroline's mother Margaret and the support we receive from her and her family during our investigation remains crucial.

“We continue to re-appeal to anyone with information that will assist the ongoing investigation to do the right thing and come forward.

“Caroline’s friend Joanne Menzies was one of the last people to see Caroline.

“Caroline left Joanne at the Bonhill shops at 11.54pm.

“Caroline was last seen around 12.15am when she walked down Dillichip Loan towards Dillichip Bridge which was known locally as the Black Bridge (no longer exists) and then onto the tow path.

“I would appeal again for assistance in tracing a man wearing a dark green hooded top who was seen by a taxi driver walking near Caroline as she made her way along Dillichip Loan around 12.15am on Sunday, August 25 1996.

“The man has sharp features and may well be the last person to see Caroline alive, however despite previous appeals to identify him, he has never been traced.

“Witnesses have also spoken of hearing people arguing or shouting in that area a short time later.

“I know there has been a reluctance from people in the Bonhill and Renton areas to come forward in the past with vital information on this murder.

“However, can I remind people that we are investigating the murder of a 14 year old girl - a young girl who is sorely missed by her family and friends.

“Someone out there who stayed in that community at that time holds the vital information we need - there is no doubt in that.”

Caroline's mother, Margaret McKeich, believes locals know who is responsible for her daughter’s death and asked for them to call police.

Speaking last year, on the 20th anniversary of Caroline's murder, she said: “I would urge anybody to come forward, just to give me that peace and to give me closure.

“There’s two questions I need answered – who and why.

“Take a look back and have a think back and take a look in the mirror.

“It’s been a fair amount of time, but for me that’s just yesterday.”

Caroline, who was a pupil at Our Lady's and St Patrick's school in Dumbarton, was understood to be heading to meet her boyfriend in Renton, having spent the evening with friends, and took a shortcut from shops along Dillichip Loan towards The Towpath and the Black Bridge.

Despite extensive investigations, no-one has ever been arrested in connection with her murder.

Caroline’s best friend, Joanne Menzies, one of the last people to see the teenager alive, urged those “shielding” the killer to step up.

Speaking at a press conference in 2016 she said: “There’s people who know who done it, who are shielding whoever done it, and I would ask these people to come forward now.”

In September last year The Reporter told how Crimestoppers offered a reward of up to £10,000 for information passed directly to them which leads to an arrest and conviction in the case.

Angela Parker, national manager for Crimestoppers in Scotland, said: “I am asking for people who might have any information, no matter how insignificant they think it might be, to contact Crimestoppers anonymously because you could be the person that provides the missing pieces to the puzzle.

“We never ask who you are or any of your details. You’ll never speak to anyone from the police or ever go to court. Please do the right thing and tell us who is responsible for taking a young girl’s life.”

The investigation into Caroline's murder was also featured on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme in August 2016 to help generate fresh leads.

Anyone with information should contact the Operation Fairing Team through 101.

You can also e-mail officers through operationfairing@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

Alternatively CRIMESTOPPERS can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.