Robert Hutchinson search: Crimestoppers reward offered

Robert Hutchinson has been missing for more than six weeks

A reward of up to £3,000 has been offered for information that might help in a murder investigation.

Robert Hutchinson from Sunderland has been missing since 23 June, and police have arrested and bailed two men on suspicion of murder.

Mr Hutchinson, 57, was last seen at 18:20 BST leaving his home in Corporation Road, Hendon.

He left in his blue Nissan Micra, which was found the following day, parked in Stewart Street, near the city centre.

Police arrested two men, aged 39 and 55, on suspicion of murder on 16 July. They have since been bailed.

The charity Crimestoppers has offered the reward for information that might shed light on his disappearance.

People can give information anonymously and still potentially claim the money.

Police have also released pictures of Mr Hutchinson's car and a CCTV image of him filling it up at a petrol station on the Leechmere Industrial Estate two hours before he was last seen.

Det Ch Insp Christina Barrett from Northumbria Police said: "Robert's family are incredibly upset by what has happened.

"I think the answer to this investigation lies in the local area and with local people, we need their help to find out where he is and what has happened to him."

Mr Hutchinson filled up his car shortly before he disappeared