Claudia Lawrence: York man arrested on suspicion of murder

Police investigating the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence have arrested a man in his 50s from the York area on suspicion of murder.

The 35-year-old chef was reported missing more than six years ago when she failed to turn up for work at York University on 19 March 2009.

Detectives have stressed that Claudia has not been found and have "strongly advised" the media and members of the public against identifying the man who has been arrested.

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The investigation team is carrying out searches, which are expected to take a "number of days".

Claudia's father said it was "encouraging" to know that North Yorkshire Police is continuing to seek answers as to what happened to his daughter.

No one has been charged over her disappearance, although a review of the case in October 2013 led to two arrests, with one person still on bail.

Detectives have used new techniques to examine Claudia's home and have re-examined an alleyway behind her house for fresh clues, reports the BBC.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, head of North Yorkshire Police's Major Crime Unit, made an appeal last week for anyone with information to come forward, suggesting that some people might be withholding information.

In a statement released on the sixth anniversary of her disappearance, Malyn said: "There are people locally who knew Claudia and who have actively sought to keep that a secret – and we know who some of those people are; secondly, we know that some people have deliberately lied about a number of issues concerning their association with Claudia."

He urged anyone who had "yet to admit fully their relationship with Claudia or events in the days leading up to her disappearance" to come forward to police. "If I reach the point where we believe people continue to obstruct this investigation or assist or cover up for the person or persons responsible, they will be arrested," he warned.

Police also released new CCTV footage of two people seen walking near Claudia's home on the evening she vanished.