Q3: Why were the police unable to catch Jack the Ripper?
Throughout Jack the Rippers gruesome murder neither the Metropolitan police nor the city of London police were able to catch or identify Jack the ripper. There were many contributing factors, which meant that it was proved impossible for Jack the ripper to be caught as many obstacles stood in their way.
This included, the environment of Whitechapel, which consisted of dark streets with little lighting, alleyways and poverty. This meant that even if any one saw jack the ripper they were unable to identify him, as it was impossible for them to distinguish features or actions that he may be performing. Poverty surrounded Whitechapel, which meant that many of the women turned to prostitution for a living and many of the citizens of Whitechapel were alcoholics which meant that many of the witness’ statements could not be trusted as many of these witness’ could have been drunk. Also many of the people passing what could have been the current seen of the crime would have been under the influence of alcohol and may have not taken much notice. It was often common for the prostitutes to perform their duties and most would not have taken any notice, this resulted in the lack of witness’.