POLICE have issued three separate appeals over people they want to trace as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence.

AN APPEAL to find a man and woman seen arguing by a car has been reissued, as detectives say it is a cause for "concern and suspicion".

North Yorkshire Police want to speak to two people seen having an argument by a car outside the University of York.

The sighting of the people - seemingly involved in an argument on University Road - was a significant line of inquiry during the 2009 investigation.

They were seen at about 6.10am on Thursday, March 19, about the time Miss Lawrence was due to start her shift as a chef at the university.

A member of the public said they were standing next to an unknown parked vehicle. The passenger-side door was open.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn said: "This remains a significant line of enquiry which we are determined to resolve.

"The fact that the apparent verbal altercation between the man and woman occurred outside the University of York at a time when Claudia would have been arriving at work on Thursday, March 19 2009, is obviously a cause for concern and suspicion.

"If this man and woman are entirely unconnected to the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence but have decided not to come forward previously for whatever reason, then I strongly urge them to contact the investigation team so we can rule out this line of inquiry."

AN initial appeal to find a man referred to as a "left-handed smoker" has been reiterated, as police want to see if there is a link to male DNA found in Claudia Lawrence's car.

In 2009 one of the key police appeals was to identify a man seen with a woman on Melrosegate Bridge at about 5.35am on Thursday, March 19, 2009.

He was seen holding a cigarette with his left hand and was with a woman near the electricity substation.

The man was about 5ft 6in tall with a skinny build. He was wearing a dark-coloured hooded top with the hood up and dark-coloured combat trousers with pockets on the side.

The woman was smaller than the man, with mousey brown hair and was wearing a blue, waist-length jacket with buttons and pockets.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn said: "Despite numerous high-profile appeals, neither the man or the woman have been traced. We believe it is important to repeat the appeal for any information that could identify these people.

"In particular, the man who smokes with his left hand could be significant to the investigation in relation to the male DNA profile found on a cigarette butt in Claudia's car.

"Somebody out there knows who this man is and it's time that they come forward."

A MAN who went into a food store and commented to staff that he knew Claudia Lawrence is being sought by detectives.

Mid-morning on April 1, 2009, a man went into the Co-Op store in the Tang Hall area of York, where he allegedly commented to staff that he either knew Claudia, or used to work with her.

The Northern Echo:

The man has never been traced within the investigation and police are keen to speak to him.

He is described as black, aged in his late 20s, about 5ft 8in tall, slim build and he spoke with an African accent.

He was wearing what appears to be a light-coloured baseball-style cap with a darker peak with a "NASA" motif, a zip-up cardigan with the motif "Beverley Hills Polo" on the breast, blue jeans and white trainers with a pink stripe.

The Northern Echo:

Det Supt Dai Malyn said: "The original investigation carried out enquiries to locate this man. It is hoped this fresh appeal together with some CCTV images will help us identify who he is.

"I am urging this man to come forward to assist the investigation. Or if someone recognises him from the CCTV image taken from inside the shop, please contact the police."

DETAILS of North Yorkshire Police's new leads will be broadcast on BBC1's Crimewatch at 9pm tonight, when officers are set to release further information.

*Anybody with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option one, and pass details to the Force Control Room, quoting "Claudia Lawrence".

*Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555111, quoting "Claudia Lawrence, North Yorkshire Police". 

*Peter Lawrence, Miss Lawrence's father, has a dedicated website, Find Claudia 

*The Claudia Lawrence appeal is also supported by the Missing People charity