DETECTIVES are pursuing a “significant” new lead in the search for missing York chef Claudia Lawrence – as family and friends mark the 1,000th day since she disappeared.

Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, who is leading the police probe into what happened to Claudia has told The Press that a potentially crucial new witness has come forward.

He said they were looking into a “significant and new line of inquiry” that was “potentially fruitful” and said it may prompt a fresh police appeal within days.

Det Supt Galloway and a team of officers dedicated to the case are now piecing together the fresh information in the hope it will provide a breakthrough and end the uncertainty for Claudia’s family and friends.

Claudia, who was 35 at the time, vanished 1,000 days ago today, on March 18, 2009, when she failed to arrive for her 6am shift at the University of York.

The case is being treated as suspected murder, and is one of the biggest investigations ever carried out by North Yorkshire Police.

Det Supt Galloway said the new information related to the time Claudia vanished, but said full details had to be kept under wraps temporarily while further inquiries were carried out.

He said he was “amazed” by the extent to which information about the case had continued to emerge. He said: “It is very heartening to know that people still care and want to help bring a resolution.”

Det Supt Galloway said that while new lines of inquiry were not dealt with the same “time-sensitive urgency” as they were at the height of the investigation, there was still a pool of officers at his disposal to use when fresh leads came in.

Currently between two and six officers at any one time are working on the inquiry.

He said: “The urgency of lines of inquiries has to be, over time, diluted, but the thoroughness with which they are pursued remains at the same urgency.”

Det Supt Galloway said he “never imagined” that he would still be working on the Claudia case 1,000 days on, but added: “I will still be here after 2,000 days if I need to be. I am committed to the case professionally and personally and this commitment, like the commitment of Claudia’s family, will stand until we achieve a positive result.”

If you know anything that could help the investigation, phone police on 0845 6060247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

• For coverage of the background and latest news on the search for Claudia Lawrence, visit yorkpress.co.uk/claudia/

York Press: The Press - Comment

Still hoping for Claudia answers

TODAY marks the 1,000th day since Claudia Lawrence was last seen.

Nobody knows for sure whether she is still alive, but ever since she went missing Claudia’s father, Peter, has campaigned tirelessly for people to come forward with any information they may have – “the missing piece of the puzzle”, as he calls it.

Now, on the poignant anniversary of his daughter’s disappearance, Mr Lawrence’s plea may have been answered, as Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway says a significant and new line of inquiry has come to light about the time Claudia vanished.

At this stage, we are not sure what new information the police have, but it must be a welcome development for Claudia’s family and may hopefully lead to Mr Lawrence’s missing piece.

It is encouraging to see that every effort is still being made to solve the case. We have always believed it important to keep stories like this in the public eye, because even years later someone may still come forward with a vital clue. And that is what appears to have happened in this instance.

Mr Lawrence says it is faith and friends that get him through Christmas and every day. Let’s hope, whatever information the police have now been given, it will finally produce answers for Claudia’s family.