UK: Police warning after prostitute murders

Women were told today to stay away from a town’s red light district as detectives faced the possibility that a serial killer might have murdered four prostitutes.

Suffolk Police said prostitutes alone in Ipswich at night were “in danger”.

Detectives said two Ipswich prostitutes have been found murdered in the past 10 days, the body of a third was being examined and a fourth was missing.

Assistant chief constable Jacqui Cheer said in a personal appeal to prostitutes: “My message to you is simple – stay off the streets.

“If you are out alone at night, you are putting yourself in danger.”

Gemma Adams, 25, of Ipswich, vanished in the early hours of November 15. Her naked body was found in a stream at nearby Hintlesham on December 2.

Tania Nicol, 19, also of Ipswich, disappeared on October 30. Her naked body was found in a pond at nearby Copdock on December 8.

A third prostitute – a woman in her 20s, not yet named by police – was found dead in a wood at nearby Nacton yesterday. She was also naked.

Police said they were very concerned for Paula Clennell, 24, who has not been seen since late on Saturday.

But detectives said they were not linking the death of a woman found in a river near Crowland, Lincolnshire, yesterday to their inquiry.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull, who is heading the inquiry, said police might be looking for a serial killer.

“It is possible,” he said. “We are keeping an open mind.”