Crossbow Cannibal sacrifice drug habits made them vulnerable to violence - the guardian

L R: Susan Rushworth, 43; Suzanne Blamires 36 and Shelley Armitage, 31, who were murdered by the crossbow Cannibal. Photo: West Yorkshire Police/PA

The three victims of the "crossbow Cannibal" all came from good working-class families in Yorkshire. But their hopelessly finds heroin, alcohol or crack cocaine led you your body in red light district on the outskirts of Bradford sell City Centre, making it vulnerable to violence in the hands of the punters.

Amid criticism, sought the West Yorkshire Police, from an early stage to defend their investigation, saying it had no need to link the three women disappear.

Susan Rushworth, 43-year-old mother of three and a grandmother, was last seen walking between Manningham lane and Lister Park in Bradford on 22 June 2009.

On 26 April this year the last known granular sighting of the crossbow Cannibal of the second victim recorded CCTV cameras Shelley Armitage, 31, top and bottom Sunbridge Road stroll. The last was Suzanne Blamires, 36, who attacked by Griffiths was captured on CCTV in May.

In the 1990s tusk Lane, were on the street workers in Bradford of Asian oldest from their traditional House, immortalized band of gold in the ITV drama to the semi-industrial main street.

Rushworth's marriage had as a result of domestic violence imploded and became addicted to heroin. 21 Year-old daughter started the roads at 18th crack cocaine and heroin is looking to work. She said her mother was shocked at first, but eventually became worked together in search of punters.

Rushworth who had epilepsy, survived by a nine-year-old son and three small grandchildren. Although a sex worker was, it was not thought to work at the time of her death. Was for your searches, but had your drug dealer in the afternoon, the you disappear attempts to contact. It is suggested you depressed an epileptic attack after lapse after always.

Last Christmas, her two children, James and Kirsty, has a call by a local newspaper to find you. "Anyone knows what happened to our mother," you said at the time. "We are she Miss so much."

You said you six or seven years earlier was become involved drugs after a meeting with the wrong man. "Without you [drugs] was just a normal person and a beautiful, mother care."

Nicky Blamires, Suzanne's mother, said your bright and articulate daughter the wrong path taken had, after attending college and training as a nurse.

They have the life that wanted to have, was, she said. "What will happen you track on the day I die me." Often known by your street name amber disappeared, Suzanne Blamires after in an argument with a man close to your housing association apartment in the Allerton involved.

Her friends said was feisty, spirited and a beautiful woman. She lived with your friend which clearly encourages you to work on the road. In 2001 fine judge her after you accidentally propositioned a policeman policemen.

Shelley Armitage, a mother of two children went missing after leaving your flat three hours earlier with a friend and the City Road before had eaten "on the beat".

She lived in Allerton, three streets from the Blamires who was a friend. Her friend miss you reported.

Armitage had problems with alcohol and drugs and had previously worked in Huddersfield. It has been described as a good egg, pleasant, friendly and good-natured.

Police began search storage areas and storage locations close to where you was last seen. You disappear was particularly unusual as you had purchased recently a puppy that you loved and hated are too parted from your pet. A friend of Armitage's told how she worked the streets for money at the age of 15 years.

Some residents claimed police slow respond to missing person reports were. By Rushworth's disappear there was a large trawl parks, railways and cemeteries. Public complaints were mounted and leaflets distributed by police speak your concerns.

But Zoe Harford, lives in Allerton, said it took officers three days to make a statement. She said it felt different would have been the missing woman was no street workers.

Sharon Norman, 36, a street workers since age said 17, violence was one occur almost daily. She said, had raped been and had frequently held knife around the neck. "I admit I have stolen some of you and you have come looking for me, but many of you are seriously disturbed," she said.

One who said Blamires close friends the police must take some responsibility for her death. A hostess allows your toilets the street workers, use because it is not allowed to serve you drinks.

"Her family the envy of the road was," she said her friend Suzanne. "Went on Safari in Africa as Blackpool will everyone else on vacation was." By the time reached adulthood, Suzanne Blamire's had unravel but expression of life. "She was on heroin use in their early 20s." To this, we never see police here nearby. Go past in vans or PCSOs [community support officers] send, which don't even have the power of arrest. "

Workers in the media is also mad about the appearance of the street. "These women don't deserve, to die." "Are all somebody's daughter, still they are described as a prostitute, and it makes it so sleazy."

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