An evil campaign has waged on this quiet village of Shipton Thorpe, East Yorkshire, for nearly two years. What could have been one of the peaceful communities of 500 residents has turned into a “village of poison.” Anonymous letters have not only created fear, division, and emotional turmoil but also invaded the psyches of residents. Personal, obscene, and hurtful letters target individuals with cruel and often vulgar accusations.
A village split asunder
Poison pen letters started arriving in late 2022. But it was Christmas Eve when the first known victim, “Sophie,” received her letter. Running for the local council, Sophie was shocked by the venomous attack. The letter denounced her as a “loose woman,” suggesting that she had to become indecent to succeed in politics. They should “turn her out on the Beverley Westwood pasture with the rest of the cows,” the ultimate indignity.
Sophie, who sent that letter to the police, burnt it. However, the emotional harm had already occurred. The vile accusations continued to haunt her even after she burnt the letter. Consequently, her actions did not go unnoticed. Her boyfriend, Sam, also received letters accusing him of questioning her integrity and private life. One letter cautioned Sam to prevent Sophie from “roaming.” The signature read “From a caring dear friend.”
These letters haven’t only caused emotional pain but also seeded doubts and mistrust among the people. People now fear going to the social gathering, unsure if the person they’ve known for their entire lives could be behind this aggressive campaign.
Fear breeds anonymity.
The letters appear to be sent from someone—or perhaps a group of individuals—who personally know the victims. Most of the letters contain very intimate details about the recipient, which contributes to the paranoia now gripping the village. One letter with particularly malicious intent wished for the recipient to develop cancer. Another resident, whose house had been partially destroyed by flooding, received a letter wishing that it would flood again and take them away for good.
The letters have had an intense impact. Jason, who hasn’t received a letter yet, senses the ripples. “A cloud of vitriol has fallen over Shipton Thorpe,” he said. “It’s not the same village as before.” I don’t think it will ever be the same.”
Some residents have left the village, unable to cope with the toxic atmosphere that now hangs over the community.
A Police Investigation with No Answers
The police have not held anyone accountable for the letters. Sophie and Sam have reported each new letter, but the police have been unable to take any further action. In some cases, the police failed to provide the contents of the letters, leaving no physical evidence to analyze. We reviewed the CCTV footage, but so far, nothing significant has emerged.
The police, as usual, say they can do little without stronger evidence. They have provided the victims with safety advice and are not requesting a full-scale investigation at this point, which would put an end to this campaign. Victims feel abandoned, and many are frustrated by what seems to be a lack of urgency on the side of authorities.
People have compared the poison pen saga to a similar scandal that occurred in Littlehampton, Sussex, in 1920. That scandal was notorious enough to attract a debate in the House of Commons. They even made a film about it, Wicked Little Letters, starring Olivia Colman. The eerie resemblance between these two cases leaves people thinking that history is repeating itself in Shipton Thorpe.
A Community in Crisis
They have certainly divided the village, but they also point to deeper issues that may have lurked beneath the surface. It is believed that the saga began when the lease for the village hall came up for review. Rumors circulated that the trustees, who were also parish councillors, planned to impose a commercial rent upon the implementation of the increased rent level. That it never was is little consolation for the tension around this issue.
Subsequently, disputes arose regarding the use of village land for social housing, exacerbating the already simmering discontent. By the time of the parish council elections in May 2023, the village atmosphere was filled with tension. Even elected officials did not escape the letters. Eight came to ward councilor Leo Hammond’s mailbox before the elections—most of which were attacks on his sexuality.
Councilor Hammond, too, felt that “there is not much the police can do unless they have proper evidence.” “Unless they conduct a thorough search of everyone’s homes in Shipton Thorpe, there is limited further action available.”
Now it has to move on.
The harsh question remains: How does a community heal from such a deeply personal attack? For many in Shipton Thorpe, the village will never be the same. The letters have caused fractures that may never fully heal, leaving a once close-knit community in shambles.
Now, all the villagers can hope for is the swift identification of that individual, which could potentially lead to the fulfillment of justice. In the meantime, the whole village will stay on edge with every letter that comes in, full of fear and insecurity.
Conclusion
Shipton Thorpe’s poisonous pen letters have made it a fearful and distrustful hamlet. Their hate campaign remains unresolved, haunting the residents and leaving unhealed wounds. The once united community now stands divided. Maybe one day, a truth will surface; the village is aware of where to start the healing process.
