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Man held over prostitute murders Man held over prostitute murders
(about 1 hour later)
A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering five women whose bodies were found at sites around the Ipswich area.A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering five women whose bodies were found at sites around the Ipswich area.
Supermarket worker Tom Stephens was arrested by police at his home at Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe.Supermarket worker Tom Stephens was arrested by police at his home at Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe.
He is being held on suspicion of murdering prostitutes Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls.He is being held on suspicion of murdering prostitutes Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls.
Mr Stephens is in custody at an unnamed police station in Suffolk.Mr Stephens is in custody at an unnamed police station in Suffolk.
He is due to be questioned by detectives later on Monday.He is due to be questioned by detectives later on Monday.
'Knew Gemma' Laptop taken
Speaking in an interview with BBC News last week for background purposes, Mr Stephens said he had known Miss Adams for about 18 months - "about as long as I've known any of the girls". Speaking in an interview with BBC News last week for background purposes, Mr Stephens said he "was probably the closest thing Tania [Nicol] had as a boyfriend".
He added: "Tania I've only known for about six months but in the end I did actually get to know Tania better than I knew Gemma. "It wasn't a relationship like that, although Annette [Nicholls] in fact thought that we were an item," he added.
"I didn't know Anneli at all, I've only every spoken to her since both Tania and Gemma went missing, partly to say, if you know anything, please talk to the police and if you won't talk to the police, please talk to me and I'll talk to the police. He said he had spoken to Miss Nicol's mother in the days following her disappearance.
"And also trying to say 'are you okay' and trying, I don't know what I was trying to say. He said he had known Miss Nicol for about six months but had known Miss Adams for 18 months - "about as long as I've known any of the girls".
"Pretty much all the girls who I didn't know before I've tried to speak to since in that way." Tom Stephens said he knew both Tania Nicol and Gemma Adams
Mr Stephens' house in Jubilee Close had been visited by police earlier in the investigation and items had been taken away for examination. Police had interviewed him at his home in Jubilee Close earlier in the investigation and had taken his mobile phone and laptop computer, he added.
Det Ch Supt Stewart Gull said: "We will not be naming the police station where the man is being held.Det Ch Supt Stewart Gull said: "We will not be naming the police station where the man is being held.
"As legal proceedings are now active, Suffolk Police will not be issuing further comments or appeals at this stage.""As legal proceedings are now active, Suffolk Police will not be issuing further comments or appeals at this stage."
The five dead women, aged between 19 and 29, were all found naked in rural settings within 10 miles of Ipswich.The five dead women, aged between 19 and 29, were all found naked in rural settings within 10 miles of Ipswich.
They worked as prostitutes and all were drug-users. Their bodies were found close to the A14 road.They worked as prostitutes and all were drug-users. Their bodies were found close to the A14 road.
Police divers 'Water-filled ditch'
The body of Miss Adams, 25, who went missing on 15 November, was found in a brook at Hintlesham, Suffolk, by a member of the public on 2 December.The body of Miss Adams, 25, who went missing on 15 November, was found in a brook at Hintlesham, Suffolk, by a member of the public on 2 December.
Tania Nicol's body was found by police divers searching areas of water at Copdock Mill, near Ipswich, on 8 December.Tania Nicol's body was found by police divers searching areas of water at Copdock Mill, near Ipswich, on 8 December.
Miss Nicol, 19, was last seen after leaving her home in Ipswich on 30 October.Miss Nicol, 19, was last seen after leaving her home in Ipswich on 30 October.
The body of Anneli Alderton, 24, was found in woodland in Nacton, near Ipswich, on 10 December.The body of Anneli Alderton, 24, was found in woodland in Nacton, near Ipswich, on 10 December.
On 12 December detectives found the bodies of Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, near the village of Levington.On 12 December detectives found the bodies of Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, near the village of Levington.
Water-filled ditch
Mr Stephens was arrested at 0720 GMT on Monday in the village, which is close to the A14 road between Ipswich and Felixstowe.Mr Stephens was arrested at 0720 GMT on Monday in the village, which is close to the A14 road between Ipswich and Felixstowe.
Trimley St Martin was last in the national news when 17-year-old Vicky Hall vanished on her way home from a nightclub in Felixstowe in 1999 and was found dead in a water-filled ditch at Creeting St Peter - 25 miles from Felixstowe. Tom Stephens was arrested at his home in Jubilee Close
Trimley was last in the national news when 17-year-old Vicky Hall vanished on her way home from a nightclub in Felixstowe in 1999 and was found dead in a water-filled ditch at Creeting St Peter - 25 miles from Felixstowe.
It was believed she had been asphyxiated but a post-mortem examination proved inconclusive.It was believed she had been asphyxiated but a post-mortem examination proved inconclusive.
Police have not linked this case with the deaths of the five prostitutes.Police have not linked this case with the deaths of the five prostitutes.
On Monday they were unable to confirm Mr Stephens would be questioned about Miss Hall's murder.On Monday they were unable to confirm Mr Stephens would be questioned about Miss Hall's murder.
The Association of Chief Police Officers say the number of officers deployed from forces outside Suffolk, under the control of the Police National Information and Co-ordination Centre, was the biggest ever for a murder inquiry.The Association of Chief Police Officers say the number of officers deployed from forces outside Suffolk, under the control of the Police National Information and Co-ordination Centre, was the biggest ever for a murder inquiry.
In total 36 forces have sent 412 detectives, uniformed officers and police staff.In total 36 forces have sent 412 detectives, uniformed officers and police staff.