Caretaker and girlfriend arrested over missing girls

A caretaker and his girlfriend were today arrested on suspicion of murdering Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells, police sources said.

The grim development in the 13-day hunt for the missing 10-year-olds took place in Soham and was the first confirmation that police feared they were dead.

Ian Huntley, 28, who reported talking to the girls on the night they vanished, was arrested on suspicion of abducting and murdering the best friends.

His girlfriend Maxine Carr, 25, a teaching assistant in the girls’ class last term, was arrested on suspicion of murdering the pair.

The development was broken to Holly and Jessica’s parents early this morning before an announcement to media.

Neither girl’s body has been found and police were continuing their searches, both around Soham and at the site encompassing the college, the girls’ primary school and Mr Huntley’s caretaker’s cottage.

It also includes the college hall where Nicola and Kevin Wells and Sharon and Leslie Chapman yesterday made an emotional plea for the return of their daughters.

Police were also conducting a search at the home of Kevin and Lynda Huntley, Ian Huntley’s parents, in the nearby village of Littleport.

Even as late as last night police were clinging to some hope that the girls were alive, hopes which have also been carried by the villagers of Soham.

Today Soham was a town in shock as the news spread. Methodist minister Alan Ashton said: “It is the worst possible news. The grief is going to be profound and deep.

"The town is going to be immersed in grief as it absorbs this terrible news. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the two families.

"The police have always talked about Soham being the key. To have Soham people arrested will be very difficult for the community itself."

Ian Huntley has been a part of the investigation since day one, having reported seeing the girls on the night they vanished.

He told police they had walked past his house as he was washing his dog, and has said on more than one occasion: "I must have been one of the last people to see them alive."

Ms Carr, who knew the girls, joined in the appeals to find them, posing for pictures with a card Holly had given her on the last day of term.

Today, police would not elaborate on what they had found at Soham college.

The arrests came after detectives spent almost seven hours yesterday questioning Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr at separate police stations they had attended voluntarily.

They left the stations, in Ely and Peterborough, but did not return to their home, which by then was the scene of a major forensic search involving more than 20 officers.

The examination of St Andrew’s Primary School and its surrounding grounds is expected to last possibly a week.

Police have until 4am tomorrow to decide whether to charge the couple or extend their time in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Hebb said in Soham: "In the early hours of this morning, police search teams recovered from Soham Village College items of major interest to our inquiry to trace the missing 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

"These items have been preserved at the scene and will be subject to a comprehensive forensic examination, a process which is likely to take some considerable period of time."

He added: "Jessica and Holly’s parents have been made aware of these developments. As I speak, neither Jessica nor Holly have been found."