Hillsborough detectives appeal for 19 people from CCTV footage to come forward

Twenty-seven years after the Hillsborough disaster tragically claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool supporters, potential witnesses are still being asked to make themselves available.

Neil Malkin, the detective chief superintendent for Operation Resolve - one of two criminal investigations ordered after the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report in 2012 - spoke outside Hillsborough Stadium on Wednesday and appealed for 19 potential witnesses who were identified by new CCTV footage to step forward.

According to Malkin, the individuals were in "the right place at the right time" and therefore might be capable of identifying other people. Specifically, they were at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough Stadium when Gate C was opened at 2:52 p.m. on April 15, 1989.

(Courtesy: Press Association)

"The appeal today is for 19 individuals seen outside Gate C at 2:52 p.m. on the 15 April 1989," Malkin said, according to the Press Association. "These people were in close proximity to the gate at the time that it opened and I would like to hear from these people because they might be able to provide me with information that could assist me in my inquiry."

Malkin added, "They might know people they were with or may be able to shed some light on others that were present at the time. It's important because we need to understand the full facts around the opening of Gate C at 2:52. It's a significant piece of work that I am undertaking at the moment and these people would be helpful to add value to what I have already undertaken."

It was also stressed by Malkin that anyone who steps forward will be treated with sensitivity. "We will try and understand their concerns. It's very difficult after 27 years to understand the difficulties people face. Some may face not looking at images or may not want to recount their experience but nevertheless we've got people who can help to overcome that."

In April, the jury at the new inquests into the Hillsborough disaster ruled that the 96 people who died at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest were unlawfully killed by a catalogue of failing by police and ambulance services that contributed to their deaths. The verdict was delivered by a 7-2 majority.

Related - Hillsborough inquest: 96 victims unlawfully killed, Liverpool fans exonerated

The aim of Operation Resolve is to investigate the events leading up to and including the disaster that took place at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough Stadium which resulted in the deaths of 96 people and injuries to 730 more.