Police in Sheffield arrested Peter Sutcliffe, a key suspect in a long-running investigation into the murders of several women across Northern England, an endeavor that had been dubbed the Yorkshire Ripper case. Over five years, Sutcliffe had evaded capture despite being the subject of a massive manhunt involving thousands of officers and an assortment of investigative techniques. The nature of these crimes—often involving extreme violence—had generated widespread fear throughout urban centers, especially targeting vulnerable women. The police implemented numerous strategies, including profiling and public appeals, to locate the elusive killer, which spanned numerous forces and brought attention to societal issues regarding women's safety.

Sutcliffe's arrest came after an unusual circumstance: he was found in a car with a sex worker who had no involvement in his crimes, and upon questioning, officers became suspicious of his identity and behaviors. Following his arrest, Sutcliffe effectively confessed to his actions, leading to shockwaves throughout the media and public correspondences regarding criminal behavior, policing efficacy, and societal protection for women. His trial would later reveal not only the extent of his crimes but also the various systemic failures in the police investigation that allowed him to evade capture for so long.

The investigation and trial subsequently led to intense discussions about how sex crimes were treated by law enforcement and the justice system at large, noting biases in victim profiling and media representation of these victims. As the courts unfolded Sutcliffe's modus operandi and motivations, interest in criminal psychology surged, influencing perceptions of safety and the responsibilities of police forces in addressing societal fears around crime, particularly those affecting women.