Police searching for missing Gaia Pope say women's clothing found in a field near Dancing Ledge appear to belong to the teenager.

A 49-year-old man, who lives in Swanage and is known to Gaia, was arrested on the afternoon of Thursday, November 16 on suspicion of murder.

He was released today under investigation while enquiries continue.

Items of women's clothing were found by a member of the public in a field north of the coastal path near Swanage.

Detective superintendent Paul Kessell, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "The clothing located south of Priests Way appear to be Gaia's and her family have confirmed they match what she was believed to have been wearing the day she went missing."

Gaia, 19 and from Langton Matravers, was staying at an address in Swanage when she disappeared on the afternoon of Tuesday 7 November 2017.

The last confirmed sighting of Gaia was at 3.39pm in the area of Morrison Road. She was wearing grey and white woven leggings and white trainers and a red checked shirt with white buttons. 

Since her disappearance searches of the land and coastline in the Swanage and surrounding area have been ongoing involving Dorset Search and Rescue, the coastguard, NPAS helicopter and specialist units from neighbouring police forces. 

Paul Kessell said: "Yesterday and today specialist officers and teams, supported by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, the coastguard, national search advisors and the NPAS helicopter, have been conducting detailed searches and forensic examinations of fields and open areas. Wide area searches have also been carried out with the assistance of Dorset Search and Rescue and volunteers in the community.

“Our thoughts remain with Gaia's family at this extremely distressing and difficult time. Specially-trained officers continue to support and update them and their wellbeing is central to our actions."

"I would like to renew our appeal to anyone who may have seen Gaia in the area of Manor Gardens and south of Priests Way since 3.30pm on Tuesday, November 7."

On Monday, 13 November 2017 search warrants were carried out at two addresses in Swanage and searches there remain ongoing. As part of our investigations, three vehicles have been seized.

A 19-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman, both from the Swanage area, were arrested on suspicion of murder. They are both known to Gaia. Both individuals have been released under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 14:108. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Earlier this week, police released CCTV images of Gaia taken less than an hour before she disappeared.

Gaia went into the St Michael's Garage on Valley Road in Swanage to buy an ice cream at around 2.55pm when she was being driven between Langton Matravers and Swanage by a family member.

Senior Investigating Office Neil Devoto, of Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "We believe Gaia was wearing the same grey and white woven leggings and white trainers, but was last seen in a red checked shirt with white buttons. When she disappeared she was not wearing the black jacket pictured, which was recovered at an address in Manor Gardens."

The last confirmed sighting of Gaia was at 3.39pm.

Detective Superintendent of Dorset Police Paul Kessell thanked members of the public for their support in the search for Gaia – and said that efforts to find the 19-year-old would continue.

Speaking yesterday, he said: "Today is seven days since Gaia went missing. We have been working in that time to find her and bring her home, safe and well.

"We still maintain hope that she is safe somewhere."

Detectives searching for Gaia have been helped by Dorset Search and Rescue volunteers, the coastguard and Wessex 4x4 Response, as well as the NPAS helicopter.

Det Supt Kessell said: "The search is very much ongoing.

"We are still focusing on Swanage but we are keeping an open mind – there is a possibility Gaia has left that area and is somewhere else."

He said the time since Gaia’s disappearance has been “very difficult indeed” for her family.

“Members of the community have been incredibly helpful. Everyone has pulled together to support one another,” he added.

Gaia, from Langton Matravers, was staying at an address in Swanage when she disappeared on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 7.

Further CCTV footage caught a brief glimpse of her running along Morrison Road at around 3.40pm.

Police launched an extensive search but on Monday this week, the force announced its major crime investigation team had become involved and had made the arrests.

Crime scene investigators have been searching two houses in Morrison Road, Swanage (below).

Dorset Echo:

Local resident Dot Bonfield said: “It is terribly sad, she’s such a young girl."

She added: “The police came here on the Thursday and asked me to look out the back and in the garage."

Hundreds of people have scoured areas of Bournemouth, Swanage, Poole and surrounding areas in the hope of finding Gaia.

‘Missing person’ leaflets with Gaia’s picture on have also been taped to lamp-posts, pinned to noticeboards and left in shops and community halls around the county, and new images of the teenager have been shared on social media.

Anyone with information about Gaia’s whereabouts is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 9:179.