Scotland Yard lost the case files for 13 unsolved murders and has not ruled out police corruption as the cause, it has emerged.
The Met has admitted the records, relating to cases over nine years in the 1980s, are “classed as missing” following a review of historical homicides which started in 2012.
Bosses said details of the cases will not be made public over fears it would cause distress to relatives.
Police corruption has not been ruled out as a reason for their disappearance.
A retired officer told the Daily Mirror: “If they've lost the case file, the killers will never be brought to justice."
A Met spokeswoman said: “At the current time 13 files are classed as missing, but work is ongoing to locate them.
“We are not prepared to identify those cases where we cannot currently find the files.
“Due to the age of these cases, we have not informed any of the families as this could cause considerable distress after so many years.
“To date our efforts in locating some of the files have not suggested that police corruption is a factor. However, this is kept under constant review.”
The force today said it was carrying out a “full sweep” of its estate to ensure its records are kept in check amid the challenge to manage “decades” worth of material.
The spokeswoman added: “We are committed to taking every opportunity possible, no matter how many years have passed, to detecting unsolved murders and bringing justice for families.”
