MORE than 20 former employees of collapsed York business Challenor Property Developments have now come forward to help police in their inquiries.

Detective Sergeant Garry Ridler, who is playing a leading role in the investigation into suspected fraud and money laundering at the Poppleton-based property club, said today that the ex-staff had contacted North Yorkshire Police after reading appeals in The Press. He said he was delighted by the response, but stressed there were still many more ex-employees who had not yet come forward, as Challenor had had a rapid turnover of staff.

He said police would eventually need to speak to everyone who had worked at Challenor and it would be better for them to come forward rather than officers having to find them.

The Press reported last summer how Challenor’s offices at Regency House, Westminster Business Park, had suddenly closed down, leaving scores of property investors from around the world fearing they had lost thousands of pounds.

Earlier this month, four people were arrested by detectives investigating the firm.

The four were understood by the newspaper to include Chris Douglas, a partner in the business, whose home at Fulford was one of three York addresses raided by police.

Police said they had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, but were later released on bail after questioning, pending further inquiries.

A large amount of property and documents was seized for examination during searches of the properties and police warned that more arrests would be made as the long and complex investigation continued. Det Sgt Ridler said more than 180 Challenor clients had complained to officers and there was a monetary loss in the region of £2 million.