The passage of time has perhaps for some lent the horrific murders committed by Peter Sutcliffe the air of a historical event that has passed into the nation’s collective subconsciousness as a terrible yet familiar episode.

Also, geographical distance might give those who had no connection with Bradford at the time when the Yorkshire Ripper murders terrorised this area some sense of being at arm’s length from what occurred.

So it is inevitable that people will continue to pick over the details of Sutcliffe’s crimes, and perhaps draw links with other unsolved murders which perhaps bear some of the hallmarks of the Ripper murders.

While it is possible that there may be some evidence out there as yet uncovered, it would seem highly unlikely that raking over these details again will uncover something that has been missed by the extensive investigations that have already taken place.

These murders remain raw, for the families and friends of the victims – and Bradford as a whole, and unless there is real reason to believe new information will be brought to light, then it is perhaps best to leave well alone.

Retired policeman Chris Clark has drawn links between Sutcliffe and other unsolved murders, but West Yorkshire’s most senior detective says there is no real evidence to support the claims.

It might well be that new lines to be formally investigated do emerge, but for the sake of those who suffered at Sutcliffe’s hands, and the families of those unsolved murder victims who might be given unrealistic hope of closure, there is a strong argument for saying more evidence should be presented prior to these old wounds being re-opened.