An investigation into the handling of the Victoria Hall murder inquiry from the initial probe in 1999 will take place.
The teenager's body was found in a ditch in Creeting St Peter in September 1999, five days after she went missing from Trimley St Mary following a night out in Felixstowe.
The 17-year-old had been in the Bandbox nightclub with her friend Gemma Algar when, on her walk home, the pair split, and Ms Hall was not seen afterwards.
On November 20, 2001, Adrian Bradshaw from Felixstowe was cleared of Ms Hall's murder before Norwich Crown Court.
Last month, Steve Wright was sentenced at the Old Bailey for the kidnap and murder of Ms Hall and the attempted kidnap of Emily Doherty in High Road East, Felixstowe, the night before.
The serial killer had previously been sentenced for the murders of five women in Suffolk in 2006.
READ MORE: Timeline of Steve Wright's Suffolk murders including Victoria Hall
The force referred the initial investigation to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
An IOPC spokesman said: “In February 2026, we received a referral from Suffolk Constabulary of complaints relating to its investigation into the murder of Victoria Hall in 1999, which resulted in a man being arrested and charged.
"The complaints relate to the force’s investigation, disclosure of evidence during criminal proceedings, and comments made by the force following the man's acquittal in 2001.
"We decided that an investigation into the complaints is required and that this should be carried out by the force’s professional standards department to identify any failings between 1999 and 2001.
"We also noted that the force appeared to be treating the matter seriously, having apologised to the man and advising him of his right to make a complaint.
"The complainant will have a right of review to the IOPC should they be dissatisfied with the outcome of the complaint investigation.”
At the time of Wright's recent sentencing, Suffolk police responded to questions relating to a review of the initial case.
It said: "We note the comments made by Mr Justice Bennathan and will further review.
"We are grateful for the commendations he has given to the current investigation team."
When asked if the original investigation was flawed, the force further added: "The appropriate structure, resources and support were in place for this investigation in 1999.
"This would be much the same as a murder investigation now. What should be noted, however, is that this was, at the time, the largest investigation ever conducted by Suffolk police.
"There was significant pressure and demand on those involved.
" We also now know that Steve Wright did everything he could to avoid detection.
"It should also be noted that, whilst there was circumstantial evidence connecting Steve Wright to the kidnap and subsequent murder of Victoria, it was the advances in DNA evidence that pulled this altogether to secure a charge.
"This was not available to the original investigation team in 1999."
A spokesman for Suffolk Constabulary said: “Following a self-referral by the force to the IOPC regarding the initial investigation into the murder of Victoria Hall in 1999, the IOPC responded by advising an internal investigation by the force’s Professional Standards Department would be appropriate.
"This investigation is progressing.”
Share