Was missing York chef Claudia Lawrence seen in London? (From York Press)

Was missing York chef Claudia Lawrence seen in London?

10:04am Monday 29th June 2009 in News By Jeremy Small

POLICE have been examining CCTV footage taken in London after it was reported missing York chef Claudia Lawrence might have been seen in the capital.

Martin Dales, spokesman for Claudia’s father, Peter Lawrence, said officers had received information the 35-year-old had been seen in London and in another undisclosed location in England. He did not have any further details about the possible sightings. But he revealed: “I’ve had quite a number of letters from people who think they’ve seen her from all over the place – Wales, South Africa, Germany and London. Anything of any substance that is relevant to the police goes direct to them from us.

“It’s very encouraging to Peter and the family that everybody is still out there keeping their eyes peeled. That’s great because that is one of the ways in which she may well be found.”

It was reported in a Sunday newspaper yesterday that Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, who is leading the inquiry into the suspected murder of the Heworth woman, has called on all her ex-partners to contact police to assist with the investigation.

Mr Dales again appealed to people to be vigilant and to report anything that might be relevant to the case to the police, or on findclaudia.co.uk, a website set up to locate the chef.

It has been more than 100 days since Claudia disappeared. Det Supt Galloway said last week that about 50 detectives were on the investigation. Police believe Claudia, who failed to turn up to work at 6am on March 19, went with someone she knew and trusted.

A video made by The Press has been uploaded to YouTube to help Mr Lawrence make a world-wide appeal for information about his daughter’s disappearance. The five-minute film, called “Claudia, Where Are You?”, can also be viewed within our video section, and on findclaudia.co.uk.

The video features an emotional plea by Mr Lawrence for people to come forward with information they have been withholding from the police.

Mr Lawrence, a solicitor from Slingsby, near Malton, said it was important to keep Claudia’s disappearance in the media and video was a way of giving the case greater exposure.

Claudia disappeared with no bank cards, passport or spare clothes.