FEAR instilled by the brutal slaying of a prostitute could allow the killer to get away with murder.

Detectives have complained that they are battling against a wall of silence in a bid to unmask the murderer of 21-year-old Vicky Glass.

Her naked remains were found dumped on desolate moorland, nearly five weeks ago.

Members of the murder squad have had to scour Middlesbrough looking for prostitutes to talk to about Vicky, as well as the vice girls' clients.

A team of 20 police officers has been walking around the town's red light area, speaking to the prostitutes.

They have tracked down 70 prostitutes, but are no further forward.

Detective Superintendent Brian Dunn, in charge of the investigation, said: "Many people are basically just not prepared to speak to us at all.

"There may be a genuine fear among prostitutes, but that can be overcome. They can ring Crimestoppers, or the incident room, with information without giving their name or address.

"Vicky was a prostitute who presumably had friends among the working girls. It is time for them to stand up and be counted. We want to speak to all prostitutes, regardless of whether they knew Vicky or not. They could have information about their clients which could prove important to this inquiry.''

Mr Dunn said having to send members of the inquiry team to track down prostitutes meant taking them off other lines of inquiry.

"The fact that many people have been so unwilling to help is extremely concerning and makes our inquiries so much more difficult. At the end of the day this is the murder of a 21-year-old girl, and people should search their consciences. We want to find the person responsible,'' he said.

"If there is a genuine fear among prostitutes, they need to speak to us. Do not let this person get away with such a callous killing.'