Search for remains of Moors victim ‘could take days’

POLICE have warned it could take days to establish whether the suspected remains of Moors murders victim Keith Bennett have been discovered at three new sites after the reported discovery of a “child’s skull”.

After forensic officers and detectives from Greater Manchester police resumed their search yesterday morning, officers said yesterday afternoon that they had “not found any identifiable human remains” but added that “our work to excavate the site is continuing”.

Cheryl Hughes, force review officer, said: “Conditions are difficult and it may take time to fully complete the excavation, but we are committed to ensuring this is undertaken in the most thorough way possible.”

The dig is composed of three separate excavation sites, lying close to each other near a deep gorge that runs into Greenfield and Dovestone reservoirs.

The search began after author Russell Edwards – who has carried out an extensive examination of the area – reported to police that he had found what appeared to be the skull of a 12-year-old child during his search of the location.