Suzy Lamplugh search: police use radar in hunt for body

Armed with ground-penetrating radar, officers went to a disused army barracks following a tip-off.

It is understood a potentially vital witness told police he saw a fresh mound of earth at the site in Worcestershire around the time Suzy vanished.

The 25-year-old disappeared without a trace in July 1986 after leaving her offices in Fulham, west London, to meet a mysterious “Mr Kipper”.

It is believed she was abducted and murdered. Her body has never been found and she was officially declared dead in 1994.

Following a review of the case, police made an unsuccessful search of the Norton Army Barracks, near Pershore, in December 2000.

Much of the 30-acre site is now a housing estate.

Officers went back yesterday but Suzy’s family say they are not raising their hopes. Her father Paul, 79, said: “The police have kept me fully informed and I look forward to further information with interest.”

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Officers investigating the disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh will be carrying out a search of a small area near Pershore in Worcestershire.

“The Metropolitan Police remain committed to solving the Suzy Lamplugh case and we will continue to work towards this end. We will follow up any information in relation to this case.”

Prime suspect in the case is sex killer John Cannan, 56, currently serving life for the murder of newlywed Shirley Banks, 29, in 1987. Cannan was interviewed by detectives investigating Suzy’s disappearance but has always protested his innocence.

In 2002 the Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to charge him.