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Human remains have been found in the search for missing Sarah Everard after police arrested a serving Met Police officer in Kent last night on suspicion of her kidnap and murder.
Officers have been searching woodland in Ashford all day after arresting diplomatic protection officer Wayne Couzens, 48, at his home in Deal last night.
Police spent the day searching his house in Deal, woodland nearby, an activity centre in Ashford and have recently cordoned off the former family garage in Dover. And this evening, police confirmed human remains had been found earlier today.
Footage from the scene this evening where police found the human remains
Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick made a statement in London.
She said: "As you are aware, a man has been arrested on suspicion of Sarah's murder.
"This evening, detectives and search teams investigating Sarah's disappearance, have found, very sadly, what appears to be human remains.
"The discovery was made in an area of woodland in Ashford, in Kent. At this early stage we are not able to confirm any identity and indeed, that may take us some considerable time."
Couzens was arrested on suspicion of the kidnap and murder of missing Sarah - and is also being quizzed over an allegation of indecent exposure.
Investigating officers confirmed earlier he was arrested just before midnight yesterday on suspicion of kidnap.
Later today he was further arrested on suspicion of murder and a separate allegation of indecent exposure.
The father-of-two works Met's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command based at Westminster and his primary role was uniformed patrol duties of diplomatic premises.
A 39-year-old woman who was arrested at the house on suspicion of assisting an offender also remains in custody.
Following the arrest the Metropolitan Police has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Couzens, who used to work for the family garage in Dover, was seen being led away from his house in handcuffs just before midnight last night.
It is believed he became a police officer 10 years ago after work as a panel beater and a spell in the territorial army.
Teams have been working at the property in Deal all day and also scouring the sprawling woodland 30 miles away in Ashford.
A tent has been erected outside the father-of-two's terrace home in Freemen's Way, Deal, and it is thought officers are digging up his garden after hoarding was installed this afternoon.
And police removed two cars from the address.
The area of woodland searched is in Great Chart Ashford, some 30 miles away from where the officer was arrested.
About 150 officers are scouring acres of land around the abandoned Great Chart leisure complex in Bears Lane, which previously was home to a paint ball site and golf course.
More police vans were seen arriving at the site this afternoon in torrential conditions and just after 4pm a forensics van arrived at the scene as a helicopter hovered overhead and officers are still at the scene this evening.
Marketing executive Sarah, 33, went missing in south London last Wednesday eveningas she walked home from Clapham Junction to Brixton.
The Directorate of Professional Standards is aware of Couzens' arrest and Sarah's family has been kept updated of the developments.
TV crews and other news journalists are still at the scene in Ashford this evening, and activity is continuing as the light dwindles as more police vehicles enter the site.
Police search Couzens' house in Deal
Commissioner Dick added: "Specialist officers have been with Sarah's family to update them on the investigation and to continue to give them the best support we possibly can.
"The news today that it was a Metropolitan police officer who was arrested on suspicion of Sarah's murder has sent shockwaves and anger through the public and the through the Met.
"I speak on behalf of all my colleagues when I say that we are utterly appalled at this dreadful news.
"Our job is to patrol the streets and to protect people.
"The investigation is large and very fast moving, extremely determined, and we have had and have continued to have hundreds of officers and staff working around the clock on Sarah's disappearance.
"Sarah's disappearance in these awful and wicked circumstances is every family's worst nightmare.
"I know Londoners will want to know that it is thankfully incredibly rare for a woman to be abducted from our streets.
"But I completely understand that despite this, women in London and the wider public - particularly those in the area where Sarah went missing - will be worried and may well be feeling scared.
"You should expect to see continued high levels of police patrols in that area as well as very significant investigative activity.
"Please report any concerns you may have to us.
"We have been so impressed, and thankful for the public support for the investigation and for sharing our appeals for information and of course we are deeply grateful to the many people who have come forward to assist us.
"My thoughts tonight are with Sarah, her family and her loved ones."
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