Police Chief apologises for 'language and terminology' used to describe Yorkshire Ripper victims
John Robins says those attitudes are consigned to history
Last updated 13th Nov 2020
A chief constable has apologised to relatives of Peter Sutcliffe's victims for the "distress and anxiety'' caused by the "language, tone and terminology used by senior officers at the time''.
West Yorkshire chief John Robins made his "heartfelt apology'' after Richard McCann - the son of Wilma McCann who was murdered by Sutcliffe in 1975 - asked West Yorkshire Police to say sorry for the language used to refer to his mother 45 years ago.
Mr McCann said that when 16-year-old Jayne MacDonald was killed in 1977, officers referred to her as the first "innocent'' victim.
Mr McCann said he wanted the force to apologise "once and for all'', telling Sky News: "My mum was completely innocent and deserved to live.''
On Friday, Mr Robins said: "On behalf of West Yorkshire Police, I apologise for the additional distress and anxiety caused to all relatives by the language, tone and terminology used by senior officers at the time in relation to Peter Sutcliffe's victims.
"Such language and attitudes may have reflected wider societal attitudes of the day but it was as wrong then as it is now.
"A huge number of officers worked to identify and bring Peter Sutcliffe to justice and it is a shame that their hard work was overshadowed by the language of senior officers used at the time, the effect of which is still felt today by surviving relatives.
"Thankfully those attitudes are consigned to history and our approach today is wholly victim focused, putting them at the centre of everything we do.''
Mr Robins said: "I offer this heartfelt apology today as the chief constable of West Yorkshire Police.''
Detectives have been criticised - alongside journalists and even the attorney general who prosecuted Peter Sutcliffe - for dismissing many of those who died as prostitutes.
And senior officers' preoccupation that the Ripper was only targeting sex workers is seen as one of the many crucial wrong turns taken in the flawed 1970s investigation.
At Sutcliffe's trial, prosecutor Sir Michael Havers, who was the attorney general at the time, said: "Some were prostitutes but perhaps the saddest part of the case is that some were not.
"The last six attacks were on totally respectable women.''
West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins statement in full:
RESPONSE TO THE DEATH OF PETER SUTCLIFFE
“Peter Sutcliffe was convicted at court in 1981 for the murder of thirteen women and the attempted murder of seven other victims, in crimes which created a climate of fear across the country.
“I am sure the news of his death will bring back a range of mixed emotions and trauma for surviving victims and relatives of those whose lives he cruelly took away.
“Those who died and were assaulted, as well as those relatives who are still suffering today, are at the forefront of our thoughts and our condolences.
“The investigation into offences committed by Peter Sutcliffe was, at the time, the largest ever conducted by a UK police force and was subject to two exhaustive reviews in the immediate aftermath.
“The 1981 report by Sir Lawrence Byford and a subsequent review conducted by former West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Colin Sampson identified the extensive efforts made by the enquiry team, as well as what clearly went wrong.
“Failings and mistakes that were made are fully acknowledged and documented. We can say without doubt that the lessons learned from the Peter Sutcliffe enquiry have proved formative in shaping the investigation of serious and complex crime within modern day policing.
“West Yorkshire Police is committed to ensuring that those harmed by crime are at the heart of what we do.”
APOLOGY TO SURVIVING VICTIMS AND RELATIVES
“On behalf of West Yorkshire Police, I apologise for the additional distress and anxiety caused to all relatives by the language, tone and terminology used by senior officers at the time in relation to Peter Sutcliffe’s victims.
“Such language and attitudes may have reflected wider societal attitudes of the day, but it was as wrong then as it is now.
“A huge number of officers worked to identify and bring Peter Sutcliffe to justice and it is a shame that their hard work was overshadowed by the language of senior officers used at the time, the effect of which is still felt today by surviving relatives.
“Thankfully those attitudes are consigned to history and our approach today is wholly victim focused, putting them at the centre of everything we do.
“The well-documented Byford and Sampson reviews fully explored many issues. However, the reports did not fully address the issue of how victims were portrayed and described, which impacted on families, friends and wider public perception.
“I offer this heartfelt apology today as the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police.”