Claudia Lawrence pictured with her father Peter. She disappeared in March 2009. Photograph: North Yorkshire police/PA
Police investigating the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence more
than five years ago have arrested a 59-year-old man from York on
suspicion of murder.
In a statement, North Yorkshire police said forensic examinations and searches were being conducted and a car had been seized as part of its inquiries.
The force said further arrests could not be ruled out. But it stressed that Lawrence had not been found since she went missing in York in March 2009, aged 35. Her family have been notified of the arrest and are being supported by trained officers.
Lawrence was reported missing by her father, Peter, on 20 March 2009. She was last seen at around 3.05pm on 18 March, walking back towards her home, and that night she spoke to both her parents on the phone.
Her family believe something happened to her after she left for work as a chef early on 19 March.
The arrest, the first in the case, comes after police announced new leads following a review into the investigation launched last year.
The new investigation team, led by DS Dai Malyn, conducted a detailed re-examination of Lawrence's home in the Heworth area of York.
In March, police said that fingerprints of people who had still not come forward were discovered at her house. They also found the DNA profile of an unknown man on a cigarette butt in the university chef's Vauxhall Corsa. The announcements coincided with a fresh appeal on BBC's Crimewatch on the fifth anniversary of her disappearance.
Detectives believe Lawrence was murdered. Lawrence's mobile and rucksack have never been found.
Peter Lawrence has led a five-year campaign to find his daughter. At the anniversary in March, he described the torture his family had suffered through five years of not knowing her fate.
One of the missing chef's friends, Jen King, said the arrest showed detectives were making progress. She told the York newspaper, The Press: "If it goes somewhere that's great but if not it shows the investigation is ongoing.
"It's a step towards this one day being resolved."
Lawrence's father told The Press: "I'm very pleased they appear to be making progress by making this arrest."
Police are searching a house on Burnholme Grove, in York. The run-down semi is about half a mile from Lawrence's house.
A police van was parked outside the property and a number of forensic science officer could be seen inside in white overalls.
The house, which has a drive and pebbled front garden, is about half-way down a quiet cul-de-sac
In a statement, North Yorkshire police said forensic examinations and searches were being conducted and a car had been seized as part of its inquiries.
The force said further arrests could not be ruled out. But it stressed that Lawrence had not been found since she went missing in York in March 2009, aged 35. Her family have been notified of the arrest and are being supported by trained officers.
Lawrence was reported missing by her father, Peter, on 20 March 2009. She was last seen at around 3.05pm on 18 March, walking back towards her home, and that night she spoke to both her parents on the phone.
Her family believe something happened to her after she left for work as a chef early on 19 March.
The arrest, the first in the case, comes after police announced new leads following a review into the investigation launched last year.
The new investigation team, led by DS Dai Malyn, conducted a detailed re-examination of Lawrence's home in the Heworth area of York.
In March, police said that fingerprints of people who had still not come forward were discovered at her house. They also found the DNA profile of an unknown man on a cigarette butt in the university chef's Vauxhall Corsa. The announcements coincided with a fresh appeal on BBC's Crimewatch on the fifth anniversary of her disappearance.
Detectives believe Lawrence was murdered. Lawrence's mobile and rucksack have never been found.
Peter Lawrence has led a five-year campaign to find his daughter. At the anniversary in March, he described the torture his family had suffered through five years of not knowing her fate.
One of the missing chef's friends, Jen King, said the arrest showed detectives were making progress. She told the York newspaper, The Press: "If it goes somewhere that's great but if not it shows the investigation is ongoing.
"It's a step towards this one day being resolved."
Lawrence's father told The Press: "I'm very pleased they appear to be making progress by making this arrest."
Police are searching a house on Burnholme Grove, in York. The run-down semi is about half a mile from Lawrence's house.
A police van was parked outside the property and a number of forensic science officer could be seen inside in white overalls.
The house, which has a drive and pebbled front garden, is about half-way down a quiet cul-de-sac
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