Whitechapel 14

To know the role of the press in the Whitechapel investigation During the Whitechapel murders those in charge of the police seemed to be in chaos. Two chief inspectors had resigned in little more than two years, after corruption scandals and riots, which the papers had reported in great detail. James Monro, the head of the CID, had just quit before the first Ripper victim was killed which left a huge gap needing to be filled. The newspapers used all of this against the police and the fact that they could not capture ‘the Ripper’ confirmed to a lot of people that the police couldn’t do their jobs properly, even though they were working really hard to catch him. Sensational stories The Ripper murders were a chance for the Read through the information, newspapers to make more money by selling more highlight specific factual detail copies. There was fierce competition between the (sfd) then explain how sensational 13 morning newspapers, and 9 evening stories would make it harder to newspapers which were selling newspapers daily catch Jack the Ripper. around London. This led to stories which sensationalised the details of the murders, making things seem more interesting and sometimes even just making things up. Some sources quote as many as 11 or more Ripper victims, saying that some murder victims were the Rippers even though they were not similar in their methods at all. The police did not give the press very much information about the murders, only enough to help identify the victims. Journalists had to rely on speaking to people that gathered when the body had been found. This led to the press printing stories that weren’t true or exaggerated, with witnesses telling different stories to both the press and the police. The press and reputation of the police Read through the information, highlight specific factual detail Because the police had not made any (sfd) then explain how reputation successful arrests with the Ripper would make it harder to catch Jack murders and had not found out who the Ripper. was committing the murders, the press used this in their articles. They printed cartoons of the police as incompetent (useless). In early

October 1888 one of the local council in London printed a statement which called for the police to do more to stop the Ripper. It said that London was statistically the safest city in the world to live in. The press then printed this in their newspapers. The Ripper letters The press published many of the letters Read through the information, highlight they received from the ‘murderer’. Some specific factual detail (sfd) then explain of them were signed Jack the Ripper how the Ripper letters would make it which is how the murderer was giving harder to catch Jack the Ripper. this nickname. The first two were published because the police had asked the newspaper for help. The two that the police had asked the newspapers to published were in the same handwriting and had references to marks and wounds on the victims which made them seem more reliable. Source N: A letter received by the Central News Agency on 27th September, and passed on to the police on 1st October 1888. Dear Boss, Letters from Jack the Ripper: I keep on hearing the police have caught me but they wont fix me just yet. I have laughed when they look so clever and talk about being on the right track. That joke about Leather Apron gave me real The Dear Boss letter (source a) was received on fits. I am down on whores and I shant quit ripping th them till I do get buckled. Grand work the last job September 27 . It was thought to be a hoax until was. I gave the lady no time to squeal. How can three days later when the ‘double event’ happened they catch me now. I love my work and want to start again. You will soon hear of me with my funny and Catherine Eddowes had part of her ear little games. I saved some of the proper red stuff in a ginger beer bottle over the last job to write with chopped off, which is what the letter promised to but it went thick like glue and I cant use it. Red ink is fit enough I hope ha.ha. The next job I do I shall do. The Police thought the Dear Boss letter was clip the ladys ears off and send to the police officers just for jolly wouldn’t you. Keep this letter important. It was printed in newspapers and back till I do a bit more work, then, then give it out posters, hoping someone would recognise the straight. My knife’s so nice and sharp I want to get to work right away if I get a chance. Good Luck. handwriting. This letter was the first to use the Yours truly Jack the Ripper name Jack the Ripper The ‘Saucy Jacky’ postcard received on October 1st 188 at the Central News Agency. The handwriting is similar to the Dear Boss lestter. It mentions the Dear Boss letter and the murders of Stride and Eddowes the previous night. The fact that the postcard mentions the double- event before the newspapers reported means many historians think it was genuine. Source B- I was not codding dear old Boss when I gave you the tip, you’ll hear about Saucy Jacky’s work The From Hell letter that you saw last lesson is tomorrow double event this time the other letter of note. number one squealed a bit couldn’t finish straight off. Had not time to get ears off for police thanks for keeping last letter back till I got to work again. Jack the Ripper The press whipped up panic and fear and did nothing to aid the investigation. How far do you agree with this statement?