Moors Murders: Police end Saddleworth Moor search without finding body of Keith Bennett - but vow to get his family answers

But officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have stressed that their quest to find answers for Keith Bennett’s family is not over.

Police started searching the moor on the outskirts of Calderdale last Thursday after they were contacted by an author researching the 12-year-old’s murder, claiming he had found suspected human remains there.

They started looking for the body of Keith, who was one of five children tortured and killed by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley in the 1960s.

GMP said today that no evidence of human remains has been found.

Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jackson, portfolio holder for crime, said: “Since 1964, Greater Manchester Police has remained committed to finding answers for Keith Bennett’s family.

"Keith’s family is central to any action we take in relation to this case and the thoughts of everyone involved remain them.

"Dedicated officers remain in regular liaison with them to ensure they are updated on any progress we make.

“We have always said that we would respond, in a timely and appropriate manner, to any credible information which may lead us towards finding Keith.

"Our actions in the last week or so are a highly visible example of what that response looks like, with the force utilising the knowledge and skills of accredited experts, specialist officers and staff.

"It is these accredited experts and specialists who have brought us to a position from where we can say that, despite a thorough search of the scene and ongoing analysis of samples taken both by ourselves and a third party, there is currently no evidence of the presence of human remains at, or surrounding, the identified site on Saddleworth Moor.

"However, I want to make it clear that our investigation to find answers for Keith’s family is not over.

“We understand how our communities in Greater Manchester feel about this case, the renewed interest in it and the shared desire to find Keith.

"Much of Saddleworth Moor is private land so we would ask that members of the public, in the first instance, to report any perceived intelligence to their local police service.

“The discovery of suspected human remains must be reported immediately to enable the use of specialist resources to investigate appropriately.”

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hughes added: “The investigation into Keith’s disappearance and murder has remained open since 1964 and it will not be closed until we have found the answers his family have deserved for so many years.

"We are thankful for their continued support of our ongoing enquiries. This has been a distressing time for them and we ask that their privacy is respected.

“In response to the report made on Thursday, September 29, officers met with the member of the public who later provided us with samples and copies of the photographs he had taken.

"He also took officers to the location from which he had obtained these and provided grid references.

“In the days since, independent accredited forensic archaeologists and certified forensic anthropologists, together with GMP’s Crime Scene Investigators, have completed a methodical forensic archaeological excavation and examination of the identified area and beyond.

"An accredited forensic geologist also took a number of soil samples – analysis of which is ongoing.

“The items given to us by the member of the public have been examined by a forensic scientist and though this hasn’t yet indicated the presence of human remains – more analysis is required.

"With regards to the photograph, we have sought the assistance of a forensic botanist. We are now utilising the knowledge and skills of a forensic image expert to put a standard anthropological measurement to the object to assist with identification.

"At this stage, the indications are that it would be considerably smaller than a juvenile jaw and it cannot be ruled out that it is plant-based.

“The excavation and examination at the site is complete and, to reiterate, we have found no evidence that this is the burial location of Keith Bennett."