CRIMEWATCH is to air a reconstruction of a brutal gang attack which left a father-of-three from New Addington with devastating head injuries.
Gary Hayward, 29, was hit with baseball bats and metal poles while trying to protect his father from a gang of youths in Central Parade, New Addington, in October 2011.
He is now blind in at least one eye, unable to talk and, 18 months on, requires full-time care in a specialist rehabilitation centre.
No one has been charged over the attack and the police investigation has met with a wall of silence from the community.
Last Thursday the BBC's Crimewatch programme recorded a reconstruction for an appeal to be aired later this month.
New Addington councillor Tony Pearson believes renewed publicity may persuade someone to come forward with vital information.
He told the Advertiser: "It's right we do everything we can to give what happened a high profile.
"The community came together for Tia Sharp and during the riots but on this they have really closed up.
"I don't know whether it's because the people involved wield some sort of power, whether they think they are above the law or people are scared.
"They need to be shown they aren't untouchable. Crimewatch becoming involved will show them that the police aren't giving up on it."
Gary was ambushed after he came to the aid of his father John, 54, who had been confronted by the 30-strong gang as he made his way to the shops on Central Parade at 8.45pm on October 2.
Film crews recorded scenes in the Booze Bank and then in the car park by the leisure centre where the attack took place, with actors in hooded tops playing the gang members.
The police base on Central Parade was opened for several days and though officers received information from several members of the public, they declined to reveal whether the reports related to the Hayward investigation.
Following the attack that left him in a coma, Gary was taken to King's College Hospital where he underwent a procedure to remove a blood clot from his brain.
He appeared to be making a recovery but in November he fell out of bed while in Princess Royal University Hospital, Bromley, and his condition deteriorated.
Gary underwent an operation to remove fluid from his brain and since then he has been "asleep", his brain having shut itself down due to the trauma. Police have asked Gary's family not to talk to the press until after the April 29 broadcast.
Zowey Hayward, Gary's sister, told the Advertiser on the anniversary of the attack: "No one is stepping up because they are scared of a bunch of children. People need to be as brave as he has been and speak out."
This week Cllr Pearson reiterated this message. He said: "It only needs one person, one bit of information, to crack the case."
Anyone with information should call Croydon CID on 020 3276 2172 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
