'I know people have lied to us' Police chief's warning in search for Claudia Lawrence

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn described his frustration that people may still be withholding important information about her disappearance.

He said:  “One hypothesis is something could have happened overnight with another person in the house and then the alleyway was an obvious way out.”

“We are still finding out more and more about Claudia’s life and her lifestyle.

"I know people have lied to us.

“People may lie because they are in a relationship, and there could be a number of reasons why they are withholding information.

“One of the motives for not coming forward already is because they might be in a relationship with Claudia and don’t want people to find out.”

He warned that anyone who has lied to police will be arrested.

He said: “We have significant leads, my team, and myself are determined that if anybody is lying to us we will be arresting people because I am convinced people have information which they are not telling us about.

“We need to eliminate people who have previously not come forward.”

The news comes as investigators revisit a back alleyway running behind the missing chef's home, which could still be holding secret clues to her sudden disappearance.

Police today carried out a fresh sweep of the area along with searches around the home of Ms Lawrence, whom they believe was murdered after vanishing six years ago.

North Yorkshire Police’s Major Crime Unit say the alleyway to the rear of Ms Lawrence’s house on Heworth Road in York forms a potentially crucial part of a new line of enquiry which has emerged during an ongoing review of the original investigation.

Specialist search officers and a force dogs will scour the area while officers carry out fresh house-to-house enquiries.

They are also planning to contact former residents and neighbours of unmarried Ms Lawrence, who was 35 when she went missing.

As the search got underway Ms Lawrence's father, Peter Lawrence said it was "absolutely dreadful" that people may have been lying to police investigating his daughter's disappearance.

Speaking at his home, he said: "I heard that and it's obviously absolutely dreadful that anyone would do that.

"We know that people lie to the police but in a case like this that involves Claudia's disappearance and everyone can see what it's done to the the family ... come on."

Mr Lawrence added: "We all know that somebody out there does know what happened to Claudia."

"Somebody clearly does know what happened and maybe from a misguided sense of loyalty they've kept quiet. Hopefully this very thorough investigation, and keeping it in the public, will make them change their mind."

Speaking at the scene this  morning, Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn of North Yorkshire Police said: “The review remains very active and the team are currently working on a lead that may indicate the alleyway at the rear of Claudia’s house is significant.

“We still don’t know if Claudia left for work on the morning of Thursday 19th March 2009 or whether something happened overnight within her house. If the latter is the case the person or persons responsible, in my view, would have used the rear alleyway as the front door leads onto a busy main road. This is why this specific piece of information needs to be fully investigated.

“The activity today focuses on the alleyway with search trained officers and a dog. Officers will be conducting house-to-house enquiries in the vicinity to jog people’s memories about any vehicular access to the alleyway and how frequently this was used by neighbours or other pedestrians.

"This includes contacting people who have since moved away from the area to assist the investigation.  We are also checking again that no CCTV recording equipment in the neighbourhood has been overlooked.

“This remains one of several active enquiries at present that will be developed over the coming weeks and months.

“Together with Claudia’s family, we remain absolutely determined to solve this case and bring those responsible for her disappearance and suspected murder to justice.”

Today, the alley behind the house was cordoned off and specialist officers could be seen on their knees, conducting a fingertip search. An officer with a dog was also involved in the operation.

The police work comes just days before Ms Lawrence’s family mark what would be her 41st birthday on Friday.

Det Supt Malyn added: “This is a very poignant week for Claudia’s family and friends as they should be celebrating her 41st birthday on Friday, rather than marking another upsetting milestone since she disappeared almost six years ago.

"Our thoughts are with her loved-ones at this difficult time and as we approach the sixth anniversary of the investigation next month.”

"Claudia’s family have been briefed about today’s activity and our trained family liaison officers will continue to support them during these difficult times."

Nothing has been heard of Ms Lawrence since the evening of Wednesday March 18, 2009.

She was reported missing by her father Peter on Friday March 20 after she had failed to turn up for her 6am shift at the University of York the previous day.

Within the past year as the review gathered momentum, a 60-year-old man was arrested last May on suspicion of murder. He was later released from his bail.

A 47-year-old man was also arrested in July on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. He remains on police bail while enquiries continue.

It is also understood detectives are planning to make further arrests over the coming weeks.