Murder arrest over missing UK girl

5 Oct 2012, 8:22 pm   -   Source: AAP
Mark Bridger has been arrested by UK police on suspicion of murdering missing girl April Jones. (AAP)

Mark Bridger has been arrested by UK police on suspicion of murdering missing girl April Jones. (AAP)

UK police searching for missing five-year-old April Jones have arrested a man on suspicion of her murder.

The man being held by British police searching for missing five-year-old April Jones has been arrested on suspicion of her murder.

Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan on Friday told reporters in Aberystwyth that Mark Bridger had been arrested.

"He remains in custody at Aberystwyth Police Station where he continues to be questioned," he said.

"The arrest does not detract from our efforts to find April and we remain committed to finding her.

"Her family has been informed of this development and as you would expect they continue to be supported by a family liaison officer."

Police have until 5pm local time on Friday (0100 AEST Saturday) to charge or release Bridger - unless they apply for a further warrant of detention.

April was seen willingly getting into what is believed to be a Land Rover Discovery on the Bryn-y-Gog estate where she lives at 7pm on Monday, and has not been seen since.

Bridger, 46, from Machynlleth, drives a Land Rover Discovery which was seized from a local repair garage on Tuesday and fast-tracked for forensic examination.

Superintendent Ian John acknowledged again that volunteer searchers had played a "vital part" in the hunt for April so far.

But the dynamic has changed with the announcement that Bridger is now being held on suspicion of murder, he said.

Searches will continue but the focus has inevitably changed from looking for a live child to one of looking for a body.

Supt John said the development meant it was no longer appropriate for the many volunteers who had joined the hunt for April to continue searching.

"We want to acknowledge and are extremely grateful for the efforts of the community volunteers who have supported the professional searchers in trying to locate her," he said.

"They have been a vital part of our team throughout this search operation. Quite frankly, their commitment has been an inspiration to us all.

"The dynamics of the search have now changed and due to the passage of time and the developments within the investigation it is no longer appropriate for us to expect untrained members of the public to continue the search."

Professional searchers would continue scouring the area in and around Machynlleth, he said.

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