Police offered a £20,000 reward to find who carried out a vicious gang attack on father-of-three Gary Hayward, as part of a BBC Crimewatch appeal.

The programme, aired on Monday night, featured a reconstruction of the unsolved attack on Mr Hayward on October 2, 2011, from which he has never fully recovered.

Speaking on Tuesday after the appeal was aired, Detective Inspector Simon Harding, leading the investigation, said they had received more than 30 calls, with six names of potential suspects being mentioned more than once.

He added: “There are a few witnesses we need to go and speak to as well who are new. There are certainly good leads and witnesses to follow up on.

“We want to encourage more people to come forward and they can speak to me directly if they want to. I am happy to speak to people.”

During the appeal, members of Gary Hayward’s family spoke about the attack and the importance of witnesses coming forward.

Mr Hayward’s sister, Zowey said: "Who wants people like that walking around the street?

"Whoever does speak up will be a hero in my book.

"The best outcome we can hope for really is that Gary gets his justice as he can’t fight for it by himself."

Police also appealed for the whereabouts of a silver 12 Megapixel Fuji camera which John Hayward, Gary’s father, used to photograph the attackers. Mr Hayward, 29, was viciously beaten trying to protect his dad from a gang of youths armed with metal poles and baseball bats, in Central Parade.

His father, who had been bullied for months by the gang, suffered head injuries in the attack but was discharged from hospital a few days later.

Mr Hayward is now blind in one eye, unable to talk and requires full time care in a rehabilitation centre.

DI Harding said he wants the New Addington community to respond in the same way they did for Tia Sharp.

They said they are offering the reward for anyone who comes forward with information about the attack which leads to a conviction.

He said the appeal was one of the last opportunities to find a key witness to come forward and give evidence.

DI Harding added witnesses would be offered protection at court such as anonymity.

Anyone who witnessed the assault or anyone with information should contact Croydon CID on 020 3276 2264 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.