Suffolk Police Issues Apology to Survivor of Serial Killer Steve Wright
Suffolk Police has formally apologised to Emily Doherty, the only known surviving victim of serial killer Steve Wright, regarding her dissatisfaction with how her case was managed in 1999. However, the force has stopped short of committing to a full public inquiry into the matter.
Victim's Account of 1999 Abduction Attempt
Emily Doherty, who was 22 years old and a newlywed at the time, recounted to Sky News how Wright attempted to kidnap her in Felixstowe. She described fleeing, hiding, and ultimately seeking refuge in a local couple's home to escape. Ms Doherty expressed that after reporting the incident, she was made to feel like a "silly little girl" by the police, and she believes officers failed to conduct a thorough investigation, even after the subsequent discovery of Victoria Hall's body.
Police Response and Refusal to Launch Inquiry
Assistant Chief Constable Alice Scott of Suffolk Police stated, "We're really sorry that Emily doesn't feel that she had the service she wanted back in 1999." She acknowledged that the information provided by Ms Doherty contributed to the circumstantial evidence used to secure Wright's recent conviction. However, when pressed on whether Suffolk Police would support an inquiry, Ms Scott only indicated that the force would "review where we're at to see if there's anything we can learn from this case."
Impact on Subsequent Murders
Steve Wright, infamously known as the Suffolk Strangler, was recently jailed for the murder of 17-year-old Victoria Hall, who disappeared in September 1999. He later went on to murder five women in the Ipswich area in 2006. Ms Doherty reflected on the tragic consequences, saying, "You can't help thinking, if they had taken me seriously, Vicky could have survived, but certainly if they had found him sooner the five other women would still be here." She added that the situation has troubled her for 26 years, noting that families would not be grieving if actions had been different.
Current Police Stance and Investigation Review
Despite the apology, Assistant Chief Constable Scott defended the original investigation, asserting that the constabulary was "appropriately resourced at the time" and that "support was provided when it was required." She admitted it was one of the largest cases the force had handled. Ms Scott confirmed that Wright is not currently a suspect in any unsolved crimes but emphasised that the police remain "open-minded." She assured that today, with advances in technology, forensics, and CCTV, such reports would be taken "absolutely" seriously.
Victim's Perspective on Inquiry and Support
While critical of the initial police response, Ms Doherty praised the recent investigation team for being "nothing but supportive" and "could not be more apologetic." Regarding a potential inquiry, she stated, "It's for the family (of Victoria). I'm here. I survived." Ms Scott highlighted that a significant amount of material has been reviewed by the current team, expressing pride in their commendation by the trial judge.
