Police explore links between murders in Thornbury and Bewdley

Police in Thornbury investigating the murder of Reverend John Suddards have confirmed that they are also working closely with West Mercia Police to explore any potential links between the murder of the Reverend John Suddards and the murder of Betty Yeates in Bewdley.

Following an appeal led by Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp from Avon and Somerset Police yesterday the force have since confirmed that the have arrested Stephen Farrow in a joint operation with the Kent police force. 

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Crisp from Avon and Somerset Police said: "I would like to thank members of the public for all their help in this investigation so far. We are determined to bring whoever is responsible for the murder of the Reverend to justice and are working very closely with our colleagues in other areas of the country.

"We have had an enormous amount of information fed into the incident room. In fact it was as a direct result of assistance from a member of the public that we were able to locate this man and we would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude.

"We continue to encourage anyone who has not yet come forward to do so if they feel there is anything at all they think would help the investigation."

Betty Yeates, who was 77, was found dead in her home in Bewdley, Worcestershire on Wednesday January 4th 2012. A murder investigation was launched immediately by West Mercia Police and they have been working relentlessly since then to bring the offender to justice.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson of West Mercia Police said: "We have been particularly interested in the work by Avon and Somerset Police to investigate the murder of Reverend John Suddards. We have been working together with them to examine similarities between that incident and the murder of Betty Yeates.

"We will continue our unrelenting efforts to bring the offender responsible for this dreadful crime to justice."

If you have any information on either of these murders please call the police on 101 and ask for Avon and Somerset or West Mercia Police. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.