Police dismiss canal ‘serial killer’ claim

GREATER Manchester Police have strongly denied reports of a serial killer operating around Manchester’s canals.

Media claims have suggested a killer could be at large since 60 bodies have been pulled from the area’s canals and waterways since February 2008.

But police have denied the claims, which are believed to followed a freedom of information request by a national newspaper.

Detective Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson, head of GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “The national newspaper approached Professor Craig Jackson of Birmingham University whom, we understand, suggested the number meant he couldn’t rule out foul play in some cases.

“What is very important to bear in mind is that in all these cases the deaths have had separate investigations and there is no evidence at all to suggest they are linked or were suspicious.

“While in some cases it remains uncertain how people came to be in the water, in many other cases the circumstances have been established. Absolutely no evidence whatsoever of foul play has been established.”