Three men arrested in Claudia Lawrence investigation released on bail

Three men who were arrested yesterday by detectives investigating the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence have now been released on bail.

A representative for Claudia Lawrence's father says he is encouraged by the latest developments in the search for her.

Martin Dales told ITV Calendar that all they wanted was to find out where Claudia is and that Peter Lawrence had "run himself into the ground" looking for answers.

He also said information from the public was crucial and urged anyone with any more information to come forward:

Police investigating the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence say that identifying three men arrested today could damage the investigation.

Police investigating the murder of Claudia Lawrence have arrested three men on suspicion of murder.

They are all aged in their 50s and from the York area.

Another man was arrested in March this year and remains on police bail.

Officers say Claudia has not been found, but her family has been informed of the arrests.

A man arrested on suspicion of the murder of York chef Claudia Lawrence has been released on bail as enquiries continue.

The man, who is in his 50s and from the York area, was arrested yesterday and held in custody while he was interviewed by detectives from the Major Crime Unit.

The father of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence says waiting for answers about his daughter's disappearance is "difficult".

Peter Lawrence was speaking after police arrested a man in his 50s from York on suspicion of murder.

Police questioning a man on suspicion of murdering missing chef Claudia Lawrence say they have finished searching a property linked to his arrest.

North Yorkshire Police arrested the suspect yesterday in connection with Miss Lawrence's disappearance in 2009.

He remains in custody this morning.

A spokesman said searches at a linked property were completed last night.

Martin Dales, the spokesman for Claudia's father Peter Lawrence, says today's arrest is a welcome development. He says it's important that people continue to bring information to the investigation team.

The arrest in the Claudia Lawrence investigation comes a week after police released new CCTV footage of two people walking near the missing chef's home on the night of her disappearance.

The footage, filmed at 7.15pm on Wednesday 18 March 2009, showed an area near an alleyway at the rear of Miss Lawrence's terraced house in York.

North Yorkshire Police did not confirm whether a man in his 50s, arrested this morning on suspicion of murder, was one of the two people in the CCTV footage.

A force spokesman said investigations are ongoing following today's arrest.

North Yorkshire Police are urging anyone with information on the individuals featured in the CCTV to get in contact with them by calling them on 101, selecting option one, and passing the details on to the Force Control Room, or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online.

Watch the CCTV here: