Detectives investigating the disappearance of 20-year-old Jamie Gilbey from Crystal Palace have made an arrest.
One 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder today (3 March) and has been taken to a south London police station where he remains in custody.
A murder investigation was launched by the Metropolitan Police, after officers patrolling South Norwood Country Park in Croydon on Sunday morning (27 February) discovered a number of “suspicious items”.
The Met said on 1 March that they believed Jamie “had come to harm”, following an analysis of the items found by officers near Love Lane in South Norwood.
A crime scene was put in place shortly after.
Police are asking for anyone who may have been fishing or using the path around the lake to call police if they think they saw anything suspicious.
They also want to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity on roads near the lake, including Auckland Road, Sylvan Road and Woodvale Avenue.
Specialist officers continue to carry out searches of South Norwood Lakes in Croydon.
Jamie was last seen on 27 January and was also wanted by the force in connection with a number of robbery offences. The Met had previously appealed for information about his whereabouts last month in a missing person appeal.
Detective inspector Melanie Pressley said: “We fully recognise this news and the police presence in the park will cause considerable concern to local people, however I want to say that we do not believe there to be any wider risk to members of the community.”
“This is a fast-moving and complex investigation, and we’re following a number of positive leads as we work to establish what has happened to Jamie,” she added.
Detectives have made Jamie’s family aware of today’s developments.
“[They] are distraught and it is imperative we give them the answers to the questions that they are now asking,” said detective inspector Pressley.
“Anyone who has information that could help us piece together a picture of Jamie’s life and who he had been interacting with should call us immediately.”
If you have any information please contact the homicide team on 020 8721 4622.
To remain 100% anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.