Riddle of Fred West and ‘secret tunnels’ under city
Killer ‘knew underground network’
SERIAL killer Fred West had access to a network of tunnels near his home that he could have used to carry out and cover up his crimes, it has been claimed.
He is said to have had detailed knowledge of the passages that have been shrouded in secrecy for decades.
Urban explorers have uncovered evidence believed to show 22 miles of interconnected tunnels.
Some are yards from
West’s home in Cromwell Street, Gloucester.
The builder did work that would have given him access to the network, locals claim.
Some authorities have refused to acknowledge the existence of the tunnels. A long-serving council employee said: “A lot of high up people are very twitchy about the tunnels.
“There are plenty of reasons but I’m pretty sure the main one is to do with
Fred West.” The employee, who wants to remain anonymous, added: “He did a lot of work under the city.
“It’s anyone’s guess what could be down there. It’s a can of worms, and no one wants to touch it.”
West took his own life aged 53 in 1995 while awaiting trial for the murders of 12 girls and young women.
He is suspected of killing many more. His wife Rose was convicted in 1995 of 10 murders.
Fred West biographer Geoffrey Mansell said: “There are many places he stored bodies, whether in tunnels in Gloucester or other sites, we will probably never know.”
Paul Cowmeadow, from Gloucester Paranormal Investigation Services, declined to comment on anything related to Fred West, but said: “There are entrances to the tunnel network from the cellars of several pubs... and we’ve seen them.”
West did a lot of work under the city. What is down there is anyone’s guess
LONG-SERVING COUNCIL EMPLOYEE