Crossbow Cannibal Stephen Griffiths is continuing his hunger strike in a Yorkshire prison.

But although the serial killer is refusing to eat, he is taking liquids and it is not thought his health is giving any concern.

Griffiths, 40, is detained in the health care centre, where he has been for several months, at category A Wakefield Prison, after he was given three life sentences for the murders of Bradford prostitutes Susan Rushworth, Suzanne Blamires and Shelley Armitage. He is on a constant suicide watch after previous self-harm incidents.

The Prison Service has refused to comment on individual prisoners, but it is known that Griffiths is still refusing food, but is drinking.

Meanwhile, West Yorkshire Police refuted claims they feared Griffiths was a serial killer in the making, but were unable to act, after housing association staff built up a dossier of complaints about him while he was living in his flat at Holmfield Court, Thornton Road, Bradford, where he is thought to have killed and dismembered his three victims.

A spokesman said yesterday: “We were not powerless to act, and did take action against Griffiths where crimes were committed. It is a matter of record that Griffiths did have a criminal record and was convicted and sentenced for those crimes.”

Detectives are still planning to interview Griffiths in relation to whether he is responsible for other murders.

See today's Telegraph & Argus for more details of this story