UPDATE: 9pm Mon 24th September: The two men arrested have been RELEASED from custody. West Mercia Police CONFIRMED that they are no longer being treated as suspects. Both have been fully cooperative with the police.
Officers searching for a missing Bromsgrove teenager have arrested two Worcester men.
Thomas Jones, 18, had only moved to Worcester for university last Sunday (16th September). He was last seen close to the River Severn near Worcester Racecourse in the early hours of Wednesday morning (19th September).
Tom is still missing despite searches of the surrounding area and the river.
Arrests
At the weekend, West Mercia Police released CCTV images of two men they wanted to speak to in relation to Tom’s disappearance.
On Sunday (23rd Sept), two 20 year old men from Worcester were arrested on suspicion of murder. Both remain in custody today.
Help and support
Over the last five days, the people of Worcestershire and further afield have come together to try and help find Tom.
A Facebook group ‘Find Jonah’ was set up for people to offer help and support. Celebrities including Tom Hardy, Harry Styles and Kerry Katona shared the social media appeal to #FindTom / #FindJonah, and volunteers have placed posters and banners wherever they could.
West Bromwich Albion posted the appeal for information on Baggies fan Tom’s disappearance on match day screens at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
Friends on the Facebook group have appealed for everyone to remain positive as the search for Tom continues.
Superintendent Damian Pettit from West Mercia Police said: “The investigating team have been carrying out extensive enquiries and searches since Thomas was reported missing on Wednesday officers are working around the clock to try to locate Thomas.
“The community of Worcester has really pulled together and I would like to thank everyone who has come forward with information, as well as to the hundreds of volunteers who have been supporting the investigation.
“We are continuing the investigation with a number of lines of enquiry and will keep the community updated with developments in our continued investigation.
“Thomas’ family has been made aware of the updates and they are being supported by specially trained officers.
Superintendent Pettit continued: “I understand today’s update may have an impact on the local community and there will be officers in the local area over the coming days to offer reassurance to local residents. Anyone who is concerned is encouraged to speak to a local officer on patrol or to call us.”
“Searches will be continuing and we kindly ask that the public stay away from the search area, so that our trained officers can continue to conduct a full and thorough search.”
“We are working with the university to ensure that staff, students and all effected by Thomas’ disappearance are receiving the support they need.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident number 431s of 19 September. Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.