A serving Metropolitan Police officer has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Sarah Everard.

The 33-year-old vanished after leaving her friend’s house in Leathwaite Road, in Clapham, via a back gate to walk towards her home in Brixton at around 9pm on Wednesday (March 3).

The last sighting of her was on Poynders Road, on the other side of Clapham Common.

A large police cordon was erected outside a block of flats on Poynders Road at around 4pm on Tuesday (March 10) as the large search operation continued around the route she is believed to have taken before her disappearance.

However, the Met Police have now confirmed that a serving officer has been arrested at an address in Kent.

He has been taken into custody at a London police station where he remains. A police spokesperson has told My London they will not be revealing what crime he has been arrested on suspicion of or his age at this stage.

A woman has also been arrested at the same location on suspicion of assisting an offender. She has also been taken into custody at a London police station.

Sign up to MyLondon's FREE newsletters!

At MyLondon, we want to make sure you get the latest and greatest from across the capital.

And one way you can do that is by getting the best news, reviews and features from wherever you are straight to your inbox with our free email newsletters.

We have seven newsletters you can currently sign up for - including a different one for each part of London, as well as an EastEnders one for all the gossip from Albert Square, and a London Underground one to keep you up to date on the latest transport news.

The local newsletters go out twice a day and send the latest stories straight to your inbox.

From community stories and news covering every borough of London to celebrity and lifestyle stories, we'll make sure you get the very best every day.

To sign up to any of our newsletters, simply follow this link and select the newsletter that's right for you.

And to really customise your news experience on the go, you can download our top-rated free apps for iPhone and Android. Find out more here.

Sarah's family have been kept updated of these developments.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin said: “This is a significant development in our inquiry. This is a fast moving investigation and we are doing everything we can to find Sarah.

"We have seen an overwhelming response from the public and I repeat my request for anyone with information that may be relevant to come forward, no matter how insignificant it may seem."

Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave added: "The arrest this evening is a serious and significant development. We will continue to work with all speed on this investigation but the fact that the arrested man is a serving Metropolitan Police officer is both shocking and deeply disturbing.

"I understand there will be significant public concern but it is essential that the investigative team are given the time and space to continue their work."