Thomas Jones, 18, pictured, had not been seen since leaving a club in the early hours of Wednesday
A second man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a university student disappeared on a freshers’ week night out five days ago.
Thomas Jones, 18, was last seen in the early hours of September 19 close to the River Severn in Worcester leaving a nightclub.
He had called his mother to say he was home safe after 3am but never arrived.
Two 20-year-old men have since been arrested and remain in police custody, West Mercia Police said.
Mr Jones is thought to have crossed the Sabrina footbridge before walking on to the footpath along the top of the flood defences on Hylton Road towards Hallow just before 3.50am.
Members of the public have been asked to stay away from the search area where trained divers and officers are conducting a ‘full and thorough search’.
Thomas Jones is pictured on his 18th birthday. He went missing from Worcester last week
Police vehicles are pictured near the River Severn in Worcester where officers are carrying out a search into Thomas’s disappearance five days ago
Superintendent Damian Pettit 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.
Crime scene: A murder probe has now been launched five days after Thomas went missing
‘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.
A boat is pictured on the River Severn today where officers are searching for clues in the disappearance and suspected murder of university student Thomas Jones
‘We are working with the university to ensure that staff, students and all affected by Thomas’s disappearance are receiving the support they need.’
Residents were asked to check CCTV video, dashcams and garden sheds. But later West Mercia Police asked volunteers to go home. They had released pictures of two men they wanted to trace, seen in the Velvet nightclub on the night Tom, who was training to be a primary school teacher, disappeared.
The University of Worcester student’s father Ian, 53, of Bromsgrove, said previously: ‘We are all so worried, it has been the most distressing two days of our lives and it’s completely out of character for Tom.’
Officers are pictured in Worcester today as the search continues for evidence in the case
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