Missing Girls: Two Arrested
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of the murders of missing schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.The arrests follow a police search of a Soham Village College in Cambridgeshire and a nearby house which uncovered "items of major interest".A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the girls' abduction and murder and a 25-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of both girls' murders.
They were arrested in Cambridgeshire around 4am and taken to separate police stations.
Statements
The families of the missing 10-year-olds were the first to be told of the arrests.
It is the first time police have admitted they now fear that the girls are dead since they disappeared 13 days ago.
The bodies of neither child has been found.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Hebb said items of interest to police had been preserved at the scene and would be subject to a comprehensive forensic examination.
St Andrews Primary School, which the girls attended, was also being scoured for clues in a process that was expected to last several days.
The arrests came after two people gave voluntary statements to police on Friday night.
It is understood that the home of the father of the 28-year-old suspect has been cordoned off by police in preparation to be searched.
The house is in Littleport, 15 miles north of Soham.
Edited by - ISP on 17 August 2002 13:42:59