Sarah Everard: Police officer arrested on suspicion of murder

A Metropolitan Police officer held in connection with the disappearance of former Durham University student Sarah Everard, has now been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The man, in his 40s, was arrested on the evening of Tuesday 9 March on suspicion of kidnap. He has now been further arrested on suspicion of murder and a separate allegation of indecent exposure. He remains in custody at a London police station.

The man is a serving Metropolitan Police officer in the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command. His primary role was uniformed patrol duties of diplomatic premises.

A woman, aged in her 30s, was also arrested on the evening of 9 March on suspicion of assisting an offender. She remains in custody.

Following the arrest of the officer, the Metropolitan Police has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Ms Everard, a 33-year-old marketing executive who is originally from York, went missing after leaving a friend’s house in Clapham at about 9pm on March 3.

Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave from Metropolitan Police, gave this update into their investigation on the morning of Wednesday 9 March

On Tuesday 9 March, a cordon was placed on the A205, near the Poynders Court housing complex in the Clapham area. Forensic officers were on the scene as well as patrolling officers with sniffer dogs, searching outside the nearby Oaklands Estate and gardens in surrounding streets.

Other officers were lifting covers and searching drains along the A205.

Footage from a doorbell camera shows Ms Everard walking along the A205 Poynders Road towards Tulse Hill at around 9.30pm on the night she vanished.

Police cordon off flats in search for missing Sarah Credit: PA

Officers released new images of missing former Durham Univeristy student Sarah Everard, a week after she vanished.

Friends and relatives have issued urgent appeals on social media to help find the 33-year-old marketing executive, who has not been seen since leaving a friend's house in Clapham, south London, at around 9pm on Wednesday.

One of the two new images released by the Metropolitan Police shows Ms Everard in the same coat she was wearing on the night she disappeared.

Ms Everard left her friend's flat in Leathwaite Road, Clapham, at around 9pm on to the A205 South Circular, and is thought to have walked through Clapham Common towards her house in Brixton in a journey which should have taken around 50 minutes.

Her family have said it is "totally out of character" for her to disappear. Women living in the area near where she vanished told reporters they had been warned by police to be extra vigilant.

Scotland Yard said no official advice was being given to local residents, but it would remind them of "normal personal safety advice".

Investigators are not currently linking the disappearance to reports of women being followed in surrounding areas.

Ms Goodwin said: "We have seized a number of CCTV recordings but we know that there are likely to be many more out there. Please, even if you're not sure, check your doorbell or CCTV footage just incase it holds a clue. I'm also asking delivery drivers or anyone with dashcam footage who would have been in the Poynders Road area at approximately 9.30pm on Wednesday to come forward."

The items of clothing Sarah was wearing when she disappeared

Sarah Everard was last seen wearing a green rain jacket, navy blue trousers with a white diamond pattern, and turquoise and orange trainers. She is thought to have been wearing green earphones and a white beanie hat.

In an earlier statement, Ms Everard's family said: "With every day that goes by we are getting more worried about Sarah. She is always in regular contact with us and with her friends and it is totally out of character for her to disappear like this."

Officers continue to search for Sarah Everard Credit: PA

The family continued: "We are so grateful to the police and all our friends for all they are doing. We are desperate for news and if anyone knows anything about what has happened to her, we would urge you to please come forward and speak to the police. No piece of information is too insignificant."

Anyone who has seen Sarah or who has information that may assist the investigation should call the Incident Room on 0208 785 8244.