Britain has suffered its fair share of serial killers - from the twisted doctor Harold Shipman, who is estimated to have killed up to 250 patients, to the chilling moors murders committed in the 1960s. Some of these mortifying murders led to sweeping reforms in a bid to prevent crimes of a similar nature happening again in the UK.
The overhaul of protection procedures in the wake of the Soham murders was estimated to have reached £185 million, while the abduction and murder of schoolgirl Sarah Payne led to a high-profile campaign for people to get access to the Sex Offenders’ Register.
Stephen Lawrence was 18 years old when he was stabbed to death at a bus stop in London on 22 April 1993 in a racist attack. His racially-motivated murder shocked the UK and led to changes in attitudes towards racism in society, as well as the Met Police and judicial system.
Stephen’s parents Doreen and Neville fought for justice for their son for decades, meeting with dignitaries including Nelson Mandela to raise awareness of their campaign.
In 2012 after new evidence was uncovered, two of the accused, Gary Dobson and David Norris were found guilty of his murder and were given life sentences.
A public inquiry into the role of the Met police in the investigation was held. Chaired by Sir William MacPherson, it found that the force was, “institutionally racist,” and the investigation incompetent. Among it recommendations for reform was that the double jeopardy rule should be repealed in murder cases.
In 2019 the first Stephen Lawrence Day was celebrated. It is held on the day of his murder and celebrates his life and legacy.
10. Peter Sutcliffe
Infamous serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, known as the Yorkshire Ripper, was convicted of murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven others between 1975 and 1980.
Before he was caught his spree terrified much of northern England.
He eventually confessed in 1981 after he was caught in Sheffield.
Sutcliffe was sentenced to 20 life terms.
The police inquiry was the biggest manhunt Britain had ever known and the analysis of its failings changed the way police mount major investigations.
Despite the 2.5 million police officer hours expended on catching him, Sutcliffe continued his murderous spree for over five years as the inquiry made a series of spectacular blunders.
One of the main reasons Sutcliffe was overlooked, was due to a hoax tape and two letters which purported to be from Sutcliffe.
At his Old Bailey trial, Sutcliffe himself said: “It was just a miracle they did not apprehend me earlier – they had all the facts.”
He was interviewed nine times, but was only caught when picked up by chance with a prostitute in his car.
Sutcliffe died in 2020 after refusing treatment for Covid.
11. The Jill Dando murder
Jill Dando was a household name presenting shows such as Crimewatch when she was murdered in 1999. On the morning on 26 April she was shot in the head at her front door. Her body was found a short time later by a neighbour.
It was said the assailant grabbed her from behind and forced her to the ground before shooting her, killing her instantly.
Her murder sparked the biggest criminal investigation, headed up by the Met Police, since the search for the Yorkshire Ripper.
After a year of no progress in the investigation police focused on Barry George who lived close to Miss Dando’s home. He was arrested in 2000 and convicted in 2001, and was cleared after a retrial in 2008. Miss Dando’s murder happened during the Kosovo war, and a theory which emerged was that a Serbian hitman had been responsible. However, more than 20 years on and the case remains unsolved.