The Long Shadow

When a woman is murdered in Leeds, the police struggle to catch her killer. Meanwhile, facing financial hardship, a desperate mother makes a difficult decision to keep her family afloat.

In the devastating wake of more linked murders, the police face the prospect of a multiple murderer at large. But could the testimony of a survivor turn the tides?

The investigation spreads to Bradford with the murder of another young woman. A female police officer is tasked with dangerous undercover work, while for the real sex workers, that danger is ever present.

When another woman survives an attack, detectives hope they are in with a chance of finding their man. A driver in Leeds emerges as prime suspect, but does the evidence stand up?

As the number of murders increases, the police revisit historic attacks in the hope of identifying further victims. George Oldfield is fired up by the arrival of a letter from the killer.

West Yorkshire Police launch a massive public appeal in the hope of rooting out the killer as some detectives begin to voice concerns about the direction of the investigation and veracity of their evidence.

After a chance arrest, the killer is finally caught. In the wake of Sutcliffe’s trial, the failures of the investigation are laid bare.