News

Arkinson probe detectives in fresh appeal over blood

DETECTIVES probing the murder of teenager Arlene Arkinson 20 years ago have appealed for two women whose blood was found in a flat in the victim's home town to contact them.

Police revealed yesterday that the specimens of blood were found during a search of a derelict flat in Castlederg in 2012.

Arlene (15) disappeared in August 1994 following a night out at a disco in Bundoran, Co Donegal. Her body has never been found.

In a press conference to mark the 20th anniversary of Arlene's disappearance, it was revealed that a derelict flat at Main Street in Castlederg was searched two years ago after new information became available.

Specimens of blood belonging to two women were found. Tests confirmed the specimens were not from Arlene but neither regis-tered on a DNA database.

PSNI Detective Superintendent Karen Baxter said: "On the 20th anniversary of Arlene's disappearance, I would ask that any woman who was in this flat, at 49a Main Street which has since been demolished, at any time to make contact with police.

"They have a story to tell and we want to hear it. Their assistance could be beneficial to the investigation."

Officers will be conducting land searches in parts of Tyrone and other locations over the coming months.

The hunt will be carried out by a small team assisted by dog handlers and body recovery dogs.

Like previous similar operations, these will take place on a planned roll-out, depending on weather conditions and other factors.

"This investigation will continue. It will be progressed as far as we can take it," Ms Baxter said.

"Indeed, I can confirm that our enquiries have involved detectives interviewing a man in England."

The senior officer acknowledged the victim's family's pain but said police alone could not resolve the case or find Arlene.

"It is only with the help of the public that the person responsible will be brought to justice and the Arkinson family will find any degree of comfort."

She added that the family were being kept informed and "we understand as much as we can their continuing grief and frustration".

"We will continue to do our utmost to bring this to a conclusion within an extremely complex investigative environment and diminishing opportunities. We would ask anyone with information to come forward."

In 2005 convicted child killer Robert Howard, who was the last person seen with Arlene, was found not guilty of murder.

Howard (69) was acquitted by a jury unaware of his history of sex attacks and his conviction for murdering south London teenager Hannah Williams in 2001.

He is serving a life sentence at HMP Frankland in Co Durham, northern England.

* MISSING: Arlene Arkinson PICTURE: PSNI/PA