Ho-Ho-Ho?

In a story that hearkens back to jolly tales of merry old London and Jack the Ripper, British police are investigating what appears to be the related slayings of three prostitutes. A fourth prostitute is missing and widely considered dead at the hands of what many fear may be a new serial killer. Police are urging ladies of the night everywhere to hang up their halter tops until the killer is apprehended, but Niki Adams, of the English Collective of Prostitutes, said that few trick-turners will be able to comply. "[The local working w]omen have said they are very scared at the prospect there may be someone committed to violence and even murder operating in the area," Adams said. "But on the other hand, most women don't have the option to give up prostitution, especially this close to Christmas."

There are three things about this story that should catch your eye. First off, since when is there an "English Collective of Prostitutes", and how much are their membership dues? Second, I can understand that some women feel that they have no alternative to prostitution to make ends meet, but at some point they really have to ask themselves just how badly little Timmy needs that new iPod on his Christmas list. Finally, the British police are obviously not using the right methods to apprehend the killer. In a country as morally uptight as England, it seems to me that there are really only two suspects with the means and motive to commit this heinous crime, and Peter O'Toole has an ironclad alibi. Still don't know who the culprit is? Here's a hint.