PEOPLE are still withholding information that could lead to the mystery of the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence being solved, according to a family friend.

Yesterday (Wednesday) three men were detained on suspicion of the murder of the York chef, bringing the total number of arrests in recent months to six.

Police spent the day searching three houses in and around the Heworth area of the city.

Claudia, whose parents Peter and Joan Lawrence grew up in Darlington, went missing on March 18, 2009 after failing to return home from work at York University.

No one has been charged with her murder.

A case review in 2013 by members of the newly established Major Crime Unit at North Yorkshire Police led to:

• A man in his fifties from the York area being arrested on suspicion of murder on March 23 this year. He was later released on police bail.

The Northern Echo:

• A 60-year-old man from York being arrested in May 2014 on suspicion of murder and later released without charge.

• A 47-year-old man, also from the city, being arrested in July 2014 on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. He was also released from bail.

Martin Dales, a friend of Claudia's father, who acts as the family's spokesman, thanked those who had helped the police in their efforts to find out what had happened to her.

The Northern Echo:

However, he added: "The key message today is that police have made it quite clear that there are people lying to them.

"It's those people who've just got to realise what it's like after all this length of time - family and friends waiting to find out what's happened and you've got that information and you're too selfish to give it, or you've got something to hide, or a skin to preserve."

Mr Dales said Mr Lawrence had found the six-year investigation very hard, with hopes of progress raised and dashed in the past.

The Northern Echo:

"It's happened so many times over the years," he said. "But it never gets any less to deal with. It's still an emotional shock."

Claudia's mother Joan said she was trying not to get her hopes up.

"To be quite honest, I don't know if it's positive. We have been down this road so many times haven't we? I haven't really got my head round it," she said.

"It came completely out of the blue, I knew absolutely nothing until 8.30am. It's just awful for me. I just don't know what to think, but deep down I still if I'm really, really honest, I think (her sister) Ali and I feel the same, we would rather have no news than bad news."

Police have asked the media and members of the public to not to publish anything that could lead to the men arrested yesterday being identified in the tightly-managed investigation.

The Northern Echo:

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, who is leading the inquiry, said: “This is to ensure the investigation and legal process are not compromised or potentially damaged in any way.

"This includes naming or publishing images of the men, their home addresses, places of work, their vehicles and properties being searched on traditional media platforms or social networking sites.”

Mr Dales added: "What is needed now is for the people Det Supt Malyn says have been lying to him to come forward. Somebody is withholding the truth and that is despicable."

All those arrested remain in custody for questioning.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and pass details to the Force Control Room. Please quote 'Claudia Lawrence' when passing on details.

People can also contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.