Did Ripper murder many more women?

WEST Yorkshire Police are examining claims that the Yorkshire Ripper could have been responsible for many more murders than the 13 he was convicted for at his trial.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Dec 2015, 08:40 BST
Peter Sutcliffe. The Yorkshire Ripper.Peter Sutcliffe. The Yorkshire Ripper.
Peter Sutcliffe. The Yorkshire Ripper.

Police and Home Office officals are reportedly examining an unpublished section of a report by a former chief inspector of constabulary, Sir Lawrence Byford.

Written in 1982, the report concluded that Sutcliffe “was probably responsible for many attacks on unaccompanied women, which he has not yet admitted, not only in the West Yorkshire and Manchester areas but also in other parts of the country.”

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The report was published - heavily-redacted - in 2006 after a freedom of information request, but a key section entitled “Description of suspects, photofits and other assaults” was censored.

West Yorkshire Police said today they were “continuing with an ongoing process to review legacy historic documents”, in conjunction with the Home Office.

A statement added: “In this review the interests of victims of crime and their families are of paramount importance as is the requirement to ensure that no information is made public that could subsequently prejudice any future criminal investigation or judicial process.

“Should any new lines of inquiry be identified they will be comprehensively pursued and we will of course contact those affected.”

It comes after psychiatrists said last week the 69-year-old was no longer mentally ill and should be returned to ordinary prison.