Human remains found by police searching for missing Pc Gordon Semple

Human remains have been found by detectives searching for missing London police officer Gordon Semple, and a man has been arrested.

The 49-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder at a property in Southwark after a tip-off from a member of the public. He was due to be quizzed by homicide detectives today.

Appealing for information, Cdr Alison Newcomb described the discovery as a "significant development" - but said the condition of the remains meant it would take "some time" for cause of death to be established and for formal identification to be made.

In a statement, PC Semple's brother Ronnie Semple paid tribute to the officer on behalf of the family and Gordon's partner, Gary.

He said:

An officer for some 30 years, PC Gordon Semple, 59, went missing on Friday April 1.

He left his home in Greenhithe, Dartford, that morning and went to a meeting at the five-star Shangri La hotel at The Shard in central London.

The officer, who works in the anti-social behaviour team at Westminster City Council, was then seen on nearby Southwark Street.

But he failed to return home from work that evening and was reported missing by his partner.

Police were called at 1.07pm on Thursday to an address on the Peabody Estate, Southwark Street, London.

Forensic officers today remained at the scene to conduct searches of the property.

Speaking to the media this morning, Cdr Newcomb refused to speculate on the cause of death, and said officers would be patrolling the area to offer reassurance to residents.

She urges witnesses or anyone with information as to what happened to contact officers.

She said:

Scotland Yard had said the investigation to find Mr Semple was being treated as a high-risk missing person's inquiry, but due to concerns for his welfare, the Homicide and Major Crime Command began leading the efforts to find him.