MORE than 100 officers from police forces throughout the country are today still working on the killings of five Ipswich women.Two months after the first body - that of Gemma Adams - was found near Hintlesham, 104 officers from outside Suffolk remain in the county as part of the investigation.

MORE than 100 officers from police forces throughout the country are today still working on the killings of five Ipswich women.

Two months after the first body - that of Gemma Adams - was found near Hintlesham, 104 officers from outside Suffolk remain in the county as part of the investigation.

At one stage more than 30 British and Northern Ireland forces were involved in the inquiry, as constabularies loaned manpower and expertise to Suffolk police.

Although the number of officers has now dwindled from around 270 at the peak of the inquiry, 28 constabularies are still involved in Operation Sumac.

Searches were still taking place in and around Ipswich last week as the evidence gathering process continues.

Around 10,000 hours of CCTV has also been checked and cross-checked as part of the investigation, along with door-to-door inquiries.

Despite the arrest and charge of Ipswich man Steven Wright, of London Road, police still have an enormous amount of work to do to prepare for a trial that is likely to be held outside the county, possibly at the Old Bailey in London.

Wright has been charged with the murder of Miss Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.

His next hearing is scheduled to take place at Ipswich Crown Court on May 1.

The Evening Star's Somebody's Daughter appeal has already raised more than £15,000 to go towards a fitting memorial to the five women.

If you would like to make a donation you can log on www.eveningstar.co.uk or go in to Ipswich Borough Council's customer service centre in the town hall, or telephone 01473 433777.

Alternatively send a cheque made payable to Somebody's Daughter Memorial Fund c/o PO Box 772, Ipswich Borough Council, Grafton House, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2DE.