Police to Investigate ‘Hateful’ Letters Targeting Shiptonthorpe Residents

Law enforcement officials have confirmed that an inquiry will be launched into a series of “hateful” letters that have “terrorised” residents for two years. Individuals residing within Shiptonthorpe, East Yorkshire, and its surrounding areas, described the anonymous correspondence, delivered via their letterboxes, as “personal, obscene and targeted”. The BBC understands that 15 individuals have been affected by these communications, which consist of both handwritten and typed messages. Humberside Police stated that an “ongoing investigation with various lines of inquiry under way” is in progress. Due to these letters, Shiptonthorpe has been referred to as a “village of poison”. This situation draws parallels with the infamous letters that plagued the coastal town of Littlehampton in Sussex during the spring of 1920, an event that led to a House of Commons debate and inspired the comedy drama Wicked Little Letters, featuring Olivia Colman. Sophie, whose name is not her real identity, reported receiving her initial letter in December 2022, which labeled her a “loose woman”. Her partner, Sam, also not his real name, received a letter purportedly from a friend, urging him “to be honest” with himself and to prevent Sophie from “roaming”. It concluded with the signature: “From a caring dear friend.” At that time, Humberside Police conducted inquiries regarding both letters. In October, Victor Lambert, the chairman of Shiptonthorpe’s parish council, who stated he had received letters following the parish council election in May 2023, indicated that he believed he knew the identity of the perpetrator. He commented that the letters had escalated, becoming “more vile”, “even to the point of wishing harm to me”. Humberside Police confirmed its investigation is active and encouraged anyone possessing relevant information to come forward.