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Panic over serial killings

Hasan Suroor

LONDON: A small English town, famous for its medieval architecture and picturesque landscape, has been gripped by panic after a series of mysterious murders of young commercial sex workers in the past 10 days amid fears that the killer may strike again.

The killings in the quiet riverside town of Ipswich — a popular tourist destination in the county of Suffolk in East England — have revived nightmarish memories of Jack the Ripper, the notorious 19th century serial killer who struck in the red light areas of East London in the summer of 1888. Comparisons have also been made with the case of Yorkshire Ripper who picked up and murdered a number of sex workers in Yorkshire in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Five Ipswich street walkers, all in their twenties, have been killed since December 2 and their naked bodies found in different locations on the outskirts of the town, not far from each other.

In each case, the victim suddenly went missing, and was found murdered days later.

Police investigations

Police suspect that all five murders were committed by the same man but have, as yet, no clue. Women, who earn their living walking the streets, have been advised to "stay off the streets'' but many say that despite the risk they have no alternative but go out and earn their livelihood. "I have no choice because I need the cash... [but] of course, I am scared,'' said a 28-year-old woman.

The victims have been identified as Gemma Adams (25); Tania Nicol (19); Anneli Alderton (24), a single mother; Annette Nicholls (29); and Paula Clennell (24).

Police, dealing with what is claimed to be one of the biggest manhunts in recent memory, are facing criticism that murders have continued to take place even as Ispwich is swarming with detectives. A senior police described it as an "unprecedented'' inquiry while another said what was happening was "almost a crime in action.''

One national newspaper has announced a reward of £250,000 for anyone providing information that could help catch the killer.

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