Detective Superintendent Wayne Fox, of North Yorkshire Police, said underwater search teams and forensic experts are likely to be in Sand Hutton Gravel Pits near York for “a number of days”, but did not reveal why they are working in that location.
The search began early today and officers have been seen in woodland areas and ponds which are used for fishing.
Ms Lawrence was last seen in March 2009, when she was 35-years-old, and detectives believe she was murdered, even though no body has been found.
Det Supt Fox said: Whilst I’m unable to disclose what brought us to this location, I would like to stress that the searches you will see in the coming days are just one of several active lines of enquiry which are being investigated and pursued by the North Yorkshire Police Major Investigation Team, and our efforts to establish what happened to Claudia and to identify any person responsible for causing her harm.
“I can confirm that Claudia’s family are aware of this activity taking place.”
Ms Lawrence’s friends and family became…
