POLICE have this evening released a man arrested on suspicion of murdering chef Claudia Lawrence. 

The man, who is in his 50s and from the York area, was arrested on Monday (March 23) morning.

Police can hold suspects for up to 24 hours before they have make charges, and can apply to hold those suspected of serious crimes for up to 96 hours. 

North Yorkshire Police arrested the suspect, who is in his 50s and from the York area, on Monday.

Searches were completed on Monday evening at an address in the city.

A police spokesman said: "The investigation team would like to stress that Claudia has not been found.

"No further details relating to the arrest will be provided at this stage of the investigation."

The missing University of York chef's father, Peter Lawrence, who has run a tireless campaign to find Claudia since she disappeared in 2009, said detectives alerted him to the development shortly after making the arrest.

He said: “It is encouraging to know that following all the media activity over the last three weeks from Claudia’s 41st birthday to the sixth anniversary of her being missing, North Yorkshire police continue to be active in seeking answers as to what has happened to Claudia.

"It is to be hoped that the matter can be resolved as soon as possible and I encourage people to continue to come forward with information to the police by phoning them on 101.” 

Marking the anniversary last week, the force released new CCTV images from close to her home in Heworth Road, York, on the night she disappeared.

The arrest follows a 59-year-old man being arrested on suspicion of Claudia's murder last May, who was later released from bail and a man being arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice last July, who remains on police bail.

Claudia, whose parents lived in Darlington before moving to Malton, where she was brought up, was known to have returned to her home, after finishing work on Wednesday, March 18, 2009.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, head of the force’s major crime unit and the senior investigating officer in the inquiry, said: “To ensure the investigation and legal process are not compromised or potentially damaged in any way during this critical phase in seeking the truth about Claudia’s disappearance, North Yorkshire Police strongly advises the media and members of the public against identifying the man who has been arrested.

“This includes naming or publishing images of the man on traditional media platforms or social networking sites.

“I urge everyone to show restraint and patience while we carry out these very important enquiries.”