Mark Bridger arrested on suspicion of murdering April Jones (From Thisisdorset)

Mark Bridger arrested on suspicion of murdering April Jones

10:37am Friday 5th October 2012 in Latest

Mark Bridger has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of missing five-year-old April Jones, police said today.

The search for the missing 5-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, entered its fifth day today. With no sign of April since Monday evening, search teams worked through the night in the hunt for the five-year-old.

Their efforts were spurred on by pink ribbons of hope, donned by hundreds of well-wishers in the close-knit community.

Small expert teams combed areas of thick forest in the mountains around the town as support and messages were sent from across the UK.

Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan told a press conference this morning: "Mark Bridger has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of April Jones. He remains in custody at Aberystwyth Police Station where he continues to be questioned.

"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.

"While this is a significant development in the investigation, I once again appeal to the public for information which may help us find April.

"We are looking to trace the movements of Mark Bridger between 6.30pm on Monday and 3.30pm on Tuesday and any sightings of him between these times.

"We also need information regarding the movements of the blue Land Rover Discovery registration L503 MEP between these times."

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 Mr Bridger is now being held on suspicion of murder, he said, and it was no longer appropriate for untrained volunteers to help.

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