Police Television Appeal For Missing Chef

Detectives investigating the disappearance of a university chef have received some "very interesting calls" it has emerged.

Det Supt Ray Galloway, of North Yorkshire Police appeared on BBC1's Crimewatch programme and appealed for the public's help in tracing 35-year-old Claudia Lawrence.

Miss Lawrence was last seen on Wednesday March 18 at around 2pm where she left her place of employment, Goodricke College. She was later spotted on CCTV footage as she walked the three-mile route to her home.

The 35-year-old has not been in contact with anybody since around 8.30pm that night.

"We've had very interesting calls," said Det Supt Ray Galloway after his appearance on Crimewatch.

"We've had some calls regarding a previous relationship. That's a useful context to me but my focus really lies on her current relationship.

"Who was Claudia going out with? Who was she seeing? Who was her boyfriend?

"Who was showing her maybe some unhealthy interest?"

He added that anyone who came forward would have their information treated in "absolute confidence".

Friends and family of Miss Lawrence, who disappeared without taking any money, bankcards, or her passport, have said these actions are "totally out of character".

Her father Peter Lawrence, a solicitor from Slingsby, North Yorkshire, issued a statement earlier inviting people to join the family in praying for his daughter.

He said: "For our part, we are trying to keep strong in our faith through this difficult period, in the belief that hope will prevail and that, once again we will be physically reunited with Claudia, and express our continued, everlasting love for her."

Meanwhile, police have warned members of the public not to make donations to a website for the 'Claudia Lawrence Appeal', as neither they or her family have any involvement in it.

(JM/BMcC)