THE detective leading the Claudia Lawrence investigation says the six years since her disappearance will have done nothing to lessen the pain caused to her family or the guilt “one or more people will have” about what happened to her.

Today (March 18) marks the sixth anniversary since the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence, who failed to turn up for her work in the kitchens of the University of York’s Goodricke College.

Claudia, whose parents lived in Darlington before moving to Malton, where she was brought up, was known to have returned to her home on Heworth Road, York, after finishing work on Wednesday, March 18, 2009.

Shortly before 8.30pm she sent a text to a friend working overseas, who replied a short time later, but detectives believe Claudia didn’t read the text and she failed to arrive at work at 6am next day.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn is leading the inquiry into her disappearance and suspected murder. He said in the months since they began their review into her disappearance they have made “significant progress” which included arresting and interviewing two men, one of whom remains on bail.

The detective revealed that in the coming weeks and months they may make additional arrests.

Fingerprints found during the last search of Claudia's home showed there were individuals who still had not come forward to acknowledge their presence in her home.

He gave a stark message to those yet to come forward: “There are those who have yet to admit fully their relationship with Claudia or events in the days leading up to her disappearance. I would make a further appeal for those to come forward now and provide these explanations.

"If I reach the point where we believe people continue to obstruct this investigation or assist or cover up for the person or persons responsible, they will be arrested.

"This is a very intrusive process involving interviews and searches which we will do in order to eliminate or implicate them in Claudia’s disappearance.

"Six years have passed since Claudia disappeared. For her loved ones, the pain caused by her absence and the circumstances of her disappearance has not faded. And nor, I assume, has the guilt and knowledge that one or more people have about what happened to this young woman.”

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy said the thoughts of North Yorkshire Police were with Claudia's family during the anniversary of her disappearance.

He added: “We are hugely committed to uncovering the truth regarding Claudia and I do hope that someone will have the courage to come forward at this time.”

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass details to the force control room.

Alternatively, people can contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.