Crimewatch provides new leads in the search for Claudia Lawrence (From York Press)

Crimewatch provides new leads in the search for Claudia Lawrence

9:20am Wednesday 3rd June 2009 in News By Jennifer Bell, jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk

POLICE are following up new leads in the search for missing York chef Claudia Lawrence after more than 60 people contacted BBC Crimewatch following a television appeal.

The phones in the London-based studio started ringing shortly after the show, which featured a reconstruction of the 35-year-old’s last known movements.

Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, of North Yorkshire Police, said officers were working on new lines of inquiry after the appeal for current and former partners of Claudia. He revealed during Tuesday night’s programme that Claudia was involved in relationships of “complexity and mystery”, and kept those secret from friends and family.

“We believe there are certain areas of Claudia’s life that remain a mystery. It is apparent that some of her relationships are complicated and are not known to her family,” he said.

He once again urged anyone who has had a relationship with Claudia, but has not yet come forward to the police, to make contact as soon as possible.

“If the person wishes to do this discreetly and in confidence then we are happy to assist,” he added.

Crimewatch presenter Kirsty Young said on the programme that some people may have been “protecting her reputation”, but urged anyone with information to get in touch.

She told viewers: “Despite detectives working round the clock, her disappearance still remains a mystery. Her family are in limbo, desperate for some answers.”

During the show, Claudia’s sister Ali gave her first media interview since the chef’s disappearance 79 days ago.

She was joined by parents Peter and Joan, along with Claudia’s best friend, Suzy Cooper, as they made a plea for information.

Claudia’s father said the disappearance of his beloved daughter was an extremely traumatic time for the family, adding: “There are some terrible moments when I sit at home and burst out crying.”

Regarding Sup Galloway’s reference to Claudia’s “complicated” private life and relationships, Mr Lawrence said: “Superintendent Galloway said he had evidence of these, which I don’t know about, so I must assume that he has. But myself and my family aren’t sure how she could have got into a relationship without the rest of us knowing about it.

“She could have had acquaintances that we didn’t know about, but the police were talking specifically about relationships, that’s something I would regard as substantial and long-standing. She might well have gone out with someone for a drink – there’s no reason why she should have told us that. I just can’t see she was involved recently in a relationship that we didn’t know about when we were all seeing so much of her.”

Claudia, a chef at the University of York’s Roger Kirk Centre, has not been seen since March 18. The case is being treated as a suspected murder.

Anyone who has any information regarding her disappearance should phone 0845 6060247 or Crimestoppers, which has offered a £10,000 reward, on 0800 555111.