Fred and Rose West police start dig for new victim’s body

Police have started digging under a cafe where there may have been another Fred West victim

The crimes of Fred and Rose West that took place from 1968-1988 are a significantly dark chapter in Britain's modern history. The pair are kidnapped, tortured, raped and murdered at least 12 young women, though the true number may never be fully ascertained. As reported in several outlets, local police are now excavating the site underneath The Clean Plate cafe in Gloucester, as it is thought that an additional victim of the Wests remains may be there. 15-year-old schoolgirl, Mary Bastholm, was reported missing on the 6th of January 1968 and was last seen waiting for the bus to go and see her boyfriend. Despite Fred West having been previously linked to her disappearance, no official connection was ever made and, subsequently, she was never found. However, the cafe in question is close to Cromwell Street, where a number of the pair's other victims were found and after a documentary crew found evidence that could be linked to a body being buried within the property, the police were called. The cafe itself is owned by The Nelson Trust, a women's charity that has locations in Gloucestershire, Swindon and Somerset. A spokesman stated: "As soon as we were made aware of the situation, we have done everything we can to accommodate the investigation.