Police scale down hunt for missing Claudia

Miss Lawrence, from Heworth, was 35 when she failed to turn up for work 16 months ago. No trace of her has been found despite a massive operation by North Yorkshire Police and a high-profile campaign by her father Peter.

Senior officers from the force said the amount of police resources devoted to the case will be cut back further next month.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said 100 officers were dedicated to the investigation at its height. A year after Miss Lawrence disappeared, this figure had dropped to about 20 to 30 and there are now 16 detectives involved. Mr Madgwick said this will be cut to seven officers next month.

He said: "North Yorkshire Police have conducted a thorough and detailed investigation into the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence which has included the deployment of specialist resources for a considerable period of time.

"During the past sixteen months, as leads are followed, investigated and actions completed, we are now in a position where there is no longer a requirement for the level of resources allocated to the inquiry," he said. "The decision to reduce dedicated resources has been taken after several months of further review and detailed scrutiny."

Mr Madgwick said a dedicated response team and phone number will be allocated to respond to any calls received as a result of a Channel 4 documentary about Miss Lawrence which is due to be screened on August 13. The force said the additional cost of the operation so far is about 770,000.

Martin Dales, Peter Lawrence's friend and spokesman, said: "It is both regrettable but quite understandable that after 16 months searching for Claudia, North Yorkshire police have to be realistic about the number of officers that can be devoted to her disappearance.

"It is clear that other police forces might well have given up on a case such as hers and it is good to hear that there is no let-up in their determination to find out what has happened to Claudia."

Miss Lawrence has not been seen since March 18 last year when she was spotted near her home. Police have said they are treating her disappearance as suspected murder.