The loved ones of a missing police officer feared dead after human remains were found have said thank you today for people's "kind thoughts during a dreadful week".

Friends, family and colleagues are today mourning the death of Gordon Semple, from Greenhithe, after a man was arrested on suspicion of his murder.

His brother, Ronnie Semple, put out a statement today which read: "On behalf of Gordon's partner Gary, my wife Maureen, Gordon's nephew Paul, niece Kerry and I, I would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts during the past dreadful week. It has been a terrible time for us all, especially Gary.

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"I would also like to thank Oliver Westbury for setting up 'Gordon Semple, 59 missing' Facebook appeal page and also other cousins and nephews who tried to find Gordon.

"Gordon will be sadly missed by all of his immediate family, his colleagues in the Met Police, former Bank of Scotland colleagues in Inverness & London, Friends from his Tartan Army Days, but most of all the hardest loss is for Gary at this time.

"Gordon was a much loved Partner, Brother, Brother-in-Law, Uncle & Cousin and our world will be a worse place without him.

"It would be appreciated if the family is given time to grieve privately."

Mr Semple, 59, vanished after a noon meeting at the five-star Shangri La hotel at The Shard in London last Friday and Met Police took over the investigation into his whereabouts earlier this week.

After a tip-off from the public yesterday afternoon, detectives began a forensic search of a property in Southwark.

Human remains were found and a 49-year-old man was arrested at the address on suspicion of murder.

This morning Met Police Commander Alison Newcomb said: "My thoughts are with Gordon's family and friends at this time of personal tragedy.

"This is a very sad day for Gordon's colleagues. There are many officers who have served London alongside Gordon during his 30 year career who will acutely feel his loss."

Human remains were discovered at the Southwark home and due to the nature of their condition, it is expected to take some time to establish a cause of death.

Commander Newcomb added: "A man arrested on suspicion of murder remains in our custody and is being questioned by detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command. They have been leading our search to find missing PC Gordon Semple.

"Gordon was reported missing on April 1 and we have been working hard to find him.

"Yesterday afternoon we were called by a member of the public to an address on the Peabody Estate in Southwark Street.

"At that address a man was arrested and human remains were discovered. Due to the condition of those human remains it will take some time for cause of death to be established and for formal identification to take place.

"At this point I do not wish to speculate on what has happened.

"Yesterday, a forensic search started at the address and is ongoing. It will take some time for us to complete that work. It is a vital search for evidence. I would like to thank the local residents for their patience and support.

"Local officers are out on patrol to talk to residents and reassure them.

"If there is anyone who can help us with our investigation I would ask you to get in touch with us and tell us what you know."

Officers were called just after 1pm the the home on the Peabody Estate, Southwark Street after human remains were discovered.

A Met police spokesman added: "Our work at that scene is crucial to ensure we capture all available evidence and this may take some time."

Mr Semple was initially reported missing by his "extremely concerned" partner after he failed to return home that evening.

CCTV images were released this week showing the last known sighting of Mr Semple, who police described as a "high risk missing person".