Officers investigating the murder of Sittingbourne teacher Carl Davies have made five arrests.

A statement was posted by his family on the Facebook group ‘Justice for Carl’ this morning claiming five suspects had been detained on Reunion island in the Indian Ocean.

It’s understood one was originally arrested six weeks ago and the other four were taken in for questioning yesterday afternoon.

Carl, of Harrier Drive, was just 33 when he was killed on the French administered island on November 9, 2011.

The former Royal Marine had been working as a security guard on a ship which had berthed there.

He had also worked as a teacher at Sittingbourne Community College and the Isle of Sheppey Academy.

His parents Andy and Maria Davies, who live in Harrietsham, were initially told their son had died after falling into a ravine, but a week later they received the news he had been murdered.

The couple, who have been fighting to get justice for their son ever since, welcomed the latest developments.

Carl Davies's father Andy

Mr Davies senior said: “It’s difficult to say we are pleased or happy. It’s very positive these men have been detained, we have to look at that in a positive way.

"it’s difficult to say we are pleased or happy. it’s very positive these men have been detained" – carl's father andy

“We were told a man had been arrested six weeks ago but we were advised by our lawyer not to say anything and we didn’t but then the arrests were posted on the internet so we were forced to put the information on the site.

“We don’t know any more at the moment, we’re awaiting information.

“We have no plans to go out there but if there is a trial then we will.

“The police have demonstrated to us that they are still in control and still trying to find the perpetrators.

"For many months we doubted they were making a serious attempt and they’ve proved us wrong.”

Within the first hour of the news being posted on Facebook it received 745 likes. There was also a total of 45 comments made.

Postings included ‘Brilliant news, my thoughts are with Carl’s family’; ‘Let's hope you finally see justice for Carl. Our thoughts are with his family’ and ‘Maybe now you will get the answers you want’.

A Kent police statement issued today said: "The relevant authorities on Reunion Island have told Kent Police that five people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Carl Davies."