Detectives are to examine new information about the hoax "I'm Jack" tape recording claiming to be from the Yorkshire Ripper, it was confirmed today.

The information, which has come from a member of the public, has been passed to West Yorkshire Police by officers in Northumbria.

The taped message, on which a chilling voice claimed "I am the Ripper, I will kill again", was sent 21 years ago.

It fooled murder-squad detectives into thinking the Ripper had a north-east accent.

Police initially discounted Bradford lorry driver Peter Sutcliffe from inquiries because he did not have a Wearside accent.

Sutcliffe was sentenced to life in May 1981 for the murder of 13 women.

The new information about the hoax tape follows last month's screening of the television drama This Is Personal, which focused on the police hunt for the killer.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman today confirmed the force is liaising with Northumbria Police on the matter.

He said: "If we are given evidence we can act on, which is based on something rather than suspicions about someone's voice, then we will consider taking further action."

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