THE news police investigating the disappearance of Thomas Jones have arrested a man on suspicion of murder shocked the city overnight.

The 18-year-old has not been heard from since the early hours of last Wednesday morning and over the weekend hundreds of searchers were out looking for him, and handing out flyers.

Yesterday West Mercia Police issued two updates, the first appealing for two men and revealing they were treating the Bromsgrove teenager's disappearance as a criminal investigation.

On Sunday afternoon police said they had identified the men before yesterday evening's update, when police revealed a 20-year-old man from Worcester had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

He remains in police custody.

Police are today asking the public to stay away from the search area around the Sabrina Bridge and Hylton Road, where the youngster was last seen, so that their search divers and officers could continue to conduct "a full and thorough search".

And on the Find Jonah Facebook group there were updates that the search operation would now be scaling down as the police operation continued.

The appeal for information went national over the weekend, with a number of celebrities posting the former South Bromsgrove High School pupil's missing poster to their social media.

The 18-year-old had arrived in the city only days before going missing, to start his degree at the University of Worcester.

Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy from West Mercia Police said: "Extensive enquiries have been carried out since Thomas was reported missing.

"I would like to thank everyone who has come forward with information, and to the hundreds of volunteers who have been supporting the investigation - the level of support that we have received from the local community is overwhelming.

"Thomas' family has been made aware of the update and they are being supported by specially trained officers.

"Searches will be continuing and we kindly ask that the public stay away from the search area, so that our highly trained search divers and officers can work without distraction and continue to conduct a full and thorough search.

"I would continue to appeal to anyone who may have seen Tom in the area or out towards Hylton Road in the early hours of Wednesday morning. We believe that he crossed the Sabrina footbridge and then walked onto the footpath that runs along the top of the flood defences on Hylton Road out of town generally in the direction of Hallow, just before 3.50am.

"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."

Anyone with any information is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting incident number 431s of 19 September. Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.