Det Supt Reg Bevan said Mark Bridger, 46, remained in custody for questioning.
Teams have spent the past few days searching the River Dyfi in the mid Wales town of Machynlleth, where April went missing on Monday evening.
Officers said they now required only professional searchers in the hunt.
Det Supt Reg Bevan and Supt Ian John gave an update on the investigation at a press conference in Aberystwyth.
Mr Bridger, 46, was arrested on Tuesday and is being held at Aberystwyth police station.
Det Supt Bevan said: "Mark Bridger has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of April Jones.
"He remains in custody in Aberystwyth and continues to be questioned.
"The arrest does not detract from our efforts to find her.
"Her family has been informed of this development and they continue to be supported by our specialist trained officers."
He renewed his appeal for information about Mr Bridger's movements and that of his vehicle.
"We are looking to trace the movements of Mark Bridger between 6.30pm on Monday and 3.30pm on Tuesday, and any sightings of him between these times," he said.
"We also need information regarding the movements of the blue Land Rover Discovery registration L503 MEP between these times."
Forensic examination is taking place on the vehicle.
"While this is a significant development, I appeal for information to find April," said Det Supt Bevan.
Supt Ian John said: "We want to acknowledge and are extremely grateful for the efforts of the community volunteers who have supported the professional searchers in trying to locate her.
"They have been a vital part of our team throughout this search operation. Quite frankly, their commitment has been an inspiration to us all.
"The dynamics of the search have now changed and due to the passage of time and the developments within the investigation, it is no longer appropriate for us to expect untrained members of the public to continue the search.
"So now we only require professional searchers to be involved in the ongoing search which continues in and around Machynlleth."
Earlier, officers were searching a farmhouse in the nearby village of Ceinws where he was known to be living most recently.
Meanwhile, a public fund has been set up due to the number of people from around the UK wanting to show their support, according to the town council.
The town council said it had decided to create April's Fund after receiving calls from across the UK from people eager to donate money for April and her family.
A website will be created so people can donate online along with collection boxes around the town.
Machynlleth mayor Gareth Jones said April's family would decide what the money would be spent on.
Clive Wolfendale, a former acting chief constable of North Wales Police, described Dyfed-Powys Police's operation as stressful for all involved, with the search difficult due to the rural nature of the area.
He said "just about every part" of the force will have been mobilised, adding that the area "could not be more remote".
"In those circumstances you need individuals who can search and who do it so methodically you know 100% that that area has been covered," he told BBC Radio Wales.
Parts of the town have been covered in pink ribbons since April's mother made a plea for people to wear her daughter's favourite colour and to show support for the search.
And a special area has been created in the foyer of April's school, Ysgol Gynradd Machynlleth, after a request from April's mother with pupils creating small individual heart-shaped messages.
The school has also set up an open book for parents, pupils and staff to leave "messages of support for April, Coral, Paul, Jasmine and Harley during this traumatic time".
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.
On Friday, head teacher Gwenfair Glyn told BBC Radio Cymru's Y Post Cyntaf programme that child psychologists have been working with pupils and that whole school assemblies have been reduced to small groups.
"The school is coping reasonably well at the moment but every day brings an additional challenge," she said.
She said: "We've been advised not to hold a whole-school service because it might create a feeling of panic. Instead we are targeting small groups.
"So we go as staff, as class teachers, to hold small sessions where we let the children guide us in what they need."
The head teacher said every pupil has been busy making a pink ribbon.
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.
"They have also made an origami swan - on the request of April's older brother - and they take those home, write a message on it and place it in the window," she said.
"It has been something practical for us to do and has opened the gate to discuss things with no pressure.
"It's been therapeutic for everyone, including the teachers.
"It will be difficult to get back to normal whatever happens. Things won't be the same at the school ever again."
Hundreds of local people had responded to a fresh call for people living within a 10 to 15 mile (16-24km) radius and with a good local knowledge of the area, to contact rescue coordinators.
They have been searching areas around 32 villages, concentrating initially on 15 communities.
Dyfed-Powys Police have asked anyone with information to contact a dedicated hotline on 0300 2000 333.
Click to see more detailed map
No comments:
Post a Comment