Police were spotted probing a ditch at the side of the A19 after new information came to light on the murder of a Teesside mum 11 years ago. 

Several police vehicles, including officers from the criminal investigation department, were reportedly seen at the side of the major road near Northallerton on Wednesday (November 13).

Police were seen by a passerby at around 11am this morning - and it was later confirmed that the activity was linked to a Greater Manchester Police investigation. 

The force has now confirmed that the search is linked to the murder of mum-of-three Rania Alayad, who was killed by her husband Ahmed Al-Khatib in 2013. 

Rania AlayedRania Alayed (Image: GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE)

Prosecutors at the time said he murdered Rania at his brother’s flat in Salford, before disposing of her body at the side of the A19 - but her body has still not been found 11 years on. 

Police are continuing to search for her remains - and just last year specialist crime scene teams were seen digging in land near the A19 at Thirsk. 

Greater Manchester Police today said that the searches were carried out after new information came to light in recent months, which has prompted police activity across North Yorkshire. 

The force said it remains “committed to pursuing all opportunities in order to identify Rania’s burial location” and said there is “no wider risk or threat to the public”.

As previously reported, Al-Khatib said he had buried Syrian-born Rania, who moved from Norton to Salford in 2013, between trees near the A19 in Thirsk.

Ahmed Al-Khatib was convicted of her murder in June 2014 and was jailed for life. 

Extensive searches have taken place over the years to find her body but to no avail. 

A police spokesperson said: “In June 2013, Rania Alayad was murdered by her husband Ahmed Al Khatib. He was convicted of her murder in June 2014 and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Recommended reading:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Click here.

“We remain committed to pursuing all opportunities in order to identify Rania’s burial location and recover her body, and in recent months, new information came to light which has led to some police activity in the North Yorkshire area.

“Disruption to the local community will be/ was kept to a minimum, with no wider risk or threat to the public.

“We continue to do all we can to find Rania and we will act on all available lines of enquiry when it is possible to do so to help bring some form of closure to her loved ones eleven years on.”