Police send evidence to CPS on four suspects in Claudia Lawrence murder case

The Crown Prosecution Service will consider bringing charges against four men arrested on suspicion of murdering missing Claudia Lawrence, police have said.

The four men, who are all aged in their 50s and come from the York area, were arrested earlier this year, one on 23 March and the other three on 22 April.

They are currently on bail while the CPS considers the case.

Miss Lawrence, who was a chef at the University of York, was reported missing six years ago, sparking a huge police search for the 35-year-old.

She was last seen on 18 March 2009 after working at the university. She spoke to her parents by phone on the same day and also texted a friend that evening. When she failed to turn up for work the following day, colleagues raised the alarm.

North Yorkshire Police later said they were treating the case as suspected murder although her body has not been found.

A file of evidence will be handed to the CPS once it is prepared, and assessment by lawyers of the case will take some time, police said.

The officer in charge of the inquiry stressed it remained active and urged people not to identify the men in question.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn said: "This is to ensure the investigation and legal process are not compromised or potentially damaged in any way.

"This includes naming or publishing images of the men, their home addresses, places of work, their vehicles and properties on traditional media platforms or social networking sites.

"Your co-operation and support is greatly appreciated by the investigation team."

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101.