Human remains found by detectives looking for missing London police officer, from Inverness
Detectives searching for missing London police officer, who's from Inverness, find human remains.
Detectives hunting for a missing police officer, who is originally from Inverness, have arrested a man on suspicion of murder after human remains were found.
PC Gordon Semple, 59, left his home in Greenhithe, Dartford, to go to work in Westminster on Friday 1st April, and on that same day visited the Shard - but he has not been seen since that afternoon.
Scotland Yard said detectives searching for the officer have begun a forensic search of a property in Southwark, south east London.
A 49-year-old man was arrested there on suspicion of murder on Thursday and is in police custody.
The Metropolitan Police described it as a "significant development", and said they have informed Mr Semple's family.
Commander Alison Newcomb made the following statement on Friday the 8th of April: "A man arrested on suspicion of murder remains in our custody and is being questioned by detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command. They have been leading our search to find missing PC Gordon Semple"
"This is obviously a significant development and we have informed Gordon's family and his colleagues"
"Gordon was reported missing on 1st April and we have been working hard to find him"
"Yesterday afternoon we were called by a member of the public to an address on the Peabody Estate in Southwark Street, SE1"
"At that address a man was arrested and human remains were discovered. Due to the condition of those human remains it will take some time for cause of death to be established and for formal identification to take place"
"At this point I do not wish to speculate on what has happened"
"Yesterday, a forensic search started at the address and is ongoing. It will take some time for us to complete that work. It is a vital search for evidence. I would like to thank the local residents for their patience and support"
"Local officers are out on patrol to talk to residents and reassure them"
"If there is anyone who can help us with our investigation I would ask you to get in touch with us and tell us what you know"
"My thoughts are with Gordon's family and friends at this time of personal tragedy. I would ask that they are given the space and privacy they need to come to terms with this development"
"This is a very sad day for Gordon's colleagues. There are many officers who have served London alongside Gordon during his 30 year career who will acutely feel his loss"
The Met officer's partner reported him missing after he failed to return home from work and the last known sighting of him was at 3pm on Friday, when he was seen on CCTV on Great Guildford Street near London Bridge.
He had been at the Shard earlier in the day, leaving at about 12.30pm, and detectives wanted to find out where he went between that time and the last time he featured on CCTV around two-and-a-half hours later.
Scotland Yard had said the investigation to find Mr Semple was being treated as a high-risk missing person's inquiry, but due to concerns for his welfare, the Homicide and Major Crime Command began leading the efforts to find him.