Elite corps of police gathered for Ripper hunt

Press, 27 November 1980, Page 9

Elite corps of police gathered for Ripper hunt

NZPA London; An elite corps of top de-; tectives from all over England has been rushed in to boost the Yorkshire Ripper manhunt in a move unprecedented in English police his-; tory.

Shock changes in the Ripper squad were announced by West Yorkshire’s Chief Constable (Mr Ronald Gregory).

The moves follow mounting criticism of police methods and the censure yesterday of three police officers over their handling of a vital clue in the killing of the thirteenth victim, Jacqueline Hill, last week.

The new team brings together the cream of British policemen — five men with top pedigrees, including the detective who traoped a mass poisoner in 1972. This surprise announcement follows top-level talks with the Home Office.

Mr Gregory spelled out the group’s role: “Their function will be to look critically at police action, and to advise.

“They are probably the (most experienced group of police officers who could be mustered to assist this investigation.” Assistant Chief Constable Georee Oldfield, who has led the 86 million investigation since the first killing five! years ago, will retain over-! all chance, but the effective; new chief will be another, top West Yorkshire officer,; Detective Chief ■ Super-* intendent James Jobson.

He was yesterday appointed

a temporary Assistant Chief Constable to give him command status and will be able to hand pick his own detec-, tive team.

Meanwhile, three police officers are to be censured over the findings of a bloodstained handbag belonging to the Yorkshire Ripper’s !thirteenth victim.

; Mr Gregory said that if; the two young police offi-j cers had used their-initiative' after the handbag was! passed to them, detectives; could have been on the trail! of the Ripper sooner. ; A supervisory officer was also being censured for his; “lack of appreciation.” i Mr Gregory said that in-* vestigations had since dis-; closed that the officers could have found Jacqueline Hill’s body if they had widened the "search after the handbag was picked up by a student.

The bloodstained, cream raffia handbag was found only a few yards away from the body. ‘ ; Jacqueline, aged 20, a student ’at Leeds University, was killed last week. Shortly afterwards the police officers, were handed the bag but after a cursory investigation it was lodged as lost property and its significance not realised until after the body was discovered more .than a day later. I A member of Parliament and a Yorkshire ’.business-. man have launched a cam-* naign to raise a £100.000; ($251,680) reward for infor-i mation leading to the arrest and conviction of the Ripper.