When thinking about this from a post-millennium world it would seem that there is more than just Trevor Hardy to blame. In a time when hitch-hiking and other such events were normalised and getting into a car with a stranger was no abnormal thing. It makes sense that there is the neglect of responsibility from the police force, families and society on the whole. It can be seen that the semiotic reading of the situation highlights a lack of haste from the Greater Manchester Police force can be one of the reasons that there were three reported deaths and not two. The GMP didn't apprehend Hardy sooner and it led to the death of Sharon Mosoph. If there had been a greater push to capture Hardy, rather than unsuccessfully raiding his apartment and hitting a brick wall in the case. Arguably a large amount of the blame can be put down to poor policing of the surrounding Manchester area with the death of Janet Stewart only becoming apparent in the court proceedings when Trevor Hardy himself admitted to her murder. Police also didn't manage to pin the death of 17-year-old Dorothy Leyden on Hardy before his incarceration and subsequent death. (Payne-James, 2018). With help from Hardy's brother, Colin the two are attempting to finish what GMP couldn't 40 years prior.
Poor societal normalities also can be seen to be to blame in part for the death of all three of Hardy's victims. It cannot be pure coincidence that all three of the murders occurred late at night but in modern society, this would not have happened with a greater emphasis on walking in groups and getting around safely there wouldn't have been the opportunity for Hardy to strike. Further, the fact that all three were apparently walking or travelling alone at night can in part be put
down to what society deemed as
safe streets and a norm which soon changed. It can be seen that in the decades after Hardy and other known murderers like 'The Yorkshire ripper' there was a change in attitudes regarding the safety of children and the vulnerable with people making sure friends and family got home safe. This doesn't negate from the fact that Trevor Hardy committed atrocities, but does outline that while Hardy was a monster, the setting was perfect for him to have committed such crimes and with a greater regard for safety by police, friends and family there may have been the chance that these murders may not have taken place.
With there being little coverage of the Trevor Hardy murders in the newspapers, it led to a lack of understanding from pedestrians as to what the real dangers were as well as the necessary precautions to be taken. Due to incorrect investigation and the girls being placed simply on the missing persons' list there was a lack of care and a necessary change in procedure that meant that there was unnecessary collateral damage in the deaths of three teenagers and an unconfirmed fourth. With greater awareness and public outcry, the chances of Hardy being apprehended would've been arguably higher.
Overall, while Hardy can be seen to be the figurehead of blame, it can also be seen that a small margin of the blame can be placed upon the GMP due to the fact that while attempting to do their job as well as juggling other such cases, there was little stress upon missing persons and publicity that was necessary to educate the public on being safe when walking home as well as to rather than conjure panic, educate and get people to report suspicious activity.
(Greater Manchester Police (Image: Manchester Evening News, Manchester)
Poor societal normalities also can be seen to be to blame in part for the death of all three of Hardy's victims. It cannot be pure coincidence that all three of the murders occurred late at night but in modern society, this would not have happened with a greater emphasis on walking in groups and getting around safely there wouldn't have been the opportunity for Hardy to strike. Further, the fact that all three were apparently walking or travelling alone at night can in part be put
down to what society deemed as
safe streets and a norm which soon changed. It can be seen that in the decades after Hardy and other known murderers like 'The Yorkshire ripper' there was a change in attitudes regarding the safety of children and the vulnerable with people making sure friends and family got home safe. This doesn't negate from the fact that Trevor Hardy committed atrocities, but does outline that while Hardy was a monster, the setting was perfect for him to have committed such crimes and with a greater regard for safety by police, friends and family there may have been the chance that these murders may not have taken place.
With there being little coverage of the Trevor Hardy murders in the newspapers, it led to a lack of understanding from pedestrians as to what the real dangers were as well as the necessary precautions to be taken. Due to incorrect investigation and the girls being placed simply on the missing persons' list there was a lack of care and a necessary change in procedure that meant that there was unnecessary collateral damage in the deaths of three teenagers and an unconfirmed fourth. With greater awareness and public outcry, the chances of Hardy being apprehended would've been arguably higher.
Overall, while Hardy can be seen to be the figurehead of blame, it can also be seen that a small margin of the blame can be placed upon the GMP due to the fact that while attempting to do their job as well as juggling other such cases, there was little stress upon missing persons and publicity that was necessary to educate the public on being safe when walking home as well as to rather than conjure panic, educate and get people to report suspicious activity.
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