Man arrested over missing British girl
2012-10-05 14:09
Machynlleth - A man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of the murder of a missing five-year-old girl in Wales whose disappearance has gripped Britain.
Mark Bridger, 46, was held as officers stepped up their hunt for April Jones, who was last seen on Monday in her home town of Machynlleth in the mountains of mid-Wales, getting into a car.
Police had detained Bridger, who is known to April's family, on Tuesday but so far he had been merely helping police with their investigation.
But Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan told a news conference on Friday: "Mark Bridger has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of April Jones.
"He remains in custody at Aberystwyth Police Station where he continues to be questioned.
"The arrest does not detract from our efforts to find April and we remain committed to finding her."
Comprehensive search
Search teams using dinghies were scouring the fast-flowing rivers in the area, while others combed a forest, but their efforts were being hampered by worsening weather conditions as rain swept in and temperatures fell.
The search has been played out in the glare of TV cameras, with every stage being followed closely by the media who have descended on the sleepy town.
Police have revealed that April needs regular medication for cerebral palsy, further increasing fears for her wellbeing.
Pink ribbons have appeared on houses across the town after April's mother asked people to wear pink, her daughter's favourite colour, in solidarity.
Nightmare
Prime Minister David Cameron, whose late son Ivan had cerebral palsy, has also thrown his weight behind the search.
"This is every family's nightmare," he said Thursday.
"Clearly having this happen to you, and the fact that she suffers from cerebral palsy, something I know a little about from my own children, only makes this worse.
"My appeal would be to everyone. If you know anything, if you saw anything, heard anything, have any ideas you can bring forward, talk to the police."
