More human remains found in Bradford women search

The three women all worked as prostitutes in Bradford

Officers investigating the deaths of three women from Bradford have recovered what are thought to be human remains in the River Aire.

The discovery was made at about 1200 BST on Saturday about 200 yards from where the remains of Suzanne Blamires were found on Tuesday, police said.

Officers said it was too early to speculate who the remains belong to.

Stephen Griffiths, 40, is charged with the murder of sex workers Ms Blamires, Susan Rushworth and Shelley Armitage.

Fingertip searches

Forensic examinations are to be carried out on the remains to identify them, West Yorkshire Police said.

A handful of floral tributes tied to railings next to the river could be seen from Otley Road.

Stephen Griffiths was arrested at his home on Monday

When he appeared in court on Friday, Mr Griffiths, of Thornton Road, Bradford, gave his name as "the crossbow cannibal".

Although the remains of Ms Blamires, 36, have been found, there has been no sign of Ms Armitage, 31, or Ms Rushworth, 43.

Ms Armitage, who was from the Allerton area of Bradford, was last seen on 26 April and Ms Rushworth, of Manningham, disappeared on 22 June last year.

Police have been carrying out fingertip searches in Bradford. This has included a stretch of the River Aire from Saltaire to Shipley and the drains outside Mr Griffiths' flat.

Cutting down bushes

Officers have also been searching in Lister Park about one mile from Mr Griffiths' home.

Robert Buchanan, a neighbour of Mr Griffiths, said: "I've seen chaps going in and out of the tent in their white paper suits and [they've been] cutting down the bushes.

"I've seen them with big, long poles looking like they're dipping the drains and checking the drains out."

Mr Buchanan, a train driver, said although he did not know Mr Griffiths as a friend he had bumped into him a few weeks ago in a local pet shop.

Mr Griffiths has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Bradford Crown Court via video link from Wakefield Prison on 7 June.