Police scale down hunt for missing Claudia

North Yorkshire Assistant Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said the force had conducted a "thorough and detailed investigation" into the York chef's disappearance, including the lengthy use of specialist resources.

The decision had been taken after several months of further review and detailed scrutiny. Claudia's family had been informed.

"They have been assured that our overriding desire is to bring the person or persons responsible for Claudia's disappearance to justice," Mr Madgwick added.

He stressed that the case remains open and would be continually reviewed.

All necessary resources would be available to chase up any new leads.

But over the coming weeks, as lines of inquiry were completed, the team would be wound down to seven officers. At the height of the investigation, it involved 100 staff.

This had been halved by the time of the six month anniversary into Claudia disappearance. A year on, 20-30 officers were involved in the investigation. But by the end of July numbers had dwindled to 16.

Police said the cost of the inquiry so far was 770,000.

Martin Dales, friend and spokesman for Claudia's father Peter, called the decision "regrettable but quite understandable".