Three people who were arrested over the alleged murder of a missing Scots man who vanished in England over 20 years ago have been released on bail.
The trio – two men in their 40s and 50s and a woman in her 40s – were arrested in connection with the disappearance of Robert Scott Clive on Saturday. Northumbria Police confirmed they have since been released from custody pending further inquiry.
Robert, otherwise known as Scott, vanished after a night out in North Shields on October 10, 2002. The then 30-year-old disappeared ten months after moving to the area from Stranraer.
While no body has ever been found in search of the missing labourer, officers believe Scott to be dead. Detectives investigating the case previously confirmed they are treating Robert’s death and disappearance as murder.
As part of their ongoing inquiries, an address on the North Tyneside town’s Coronation Street was raided by police last week. A property on the street has remained taped off since Tuesday with a CID tent erected at the scene.
Officers were also spotted carrying out door-to-door inquiries. It is believed that Robert had spent some time at the address prior to his disappearance in 2002.
The current occupant, who moved in after he was reported missing, has been found alternative accommodation. The alarm was initially raised for Robert in 2002 by his family in Dumfries and Galloway after they failed to hear from him for several days.
The case has remained cold ever since. However, in 2008 a witness came forward saying they had seen a man matching Scott’s description enter the River Tyne the day after his disappearance.
Searches were conducted of the water but no body was ever found. Last June, a 49-year-old man was arrested in connection with the investigation. He was also released on bail pending further inquiries.
Detective Inspector Mark Atherton, who is leading the case, said he and his team are doing everything they can to provide Robert’s family with answers. He believes members of the local community may hold vital information over what happened to Robert.
Det Insp Mark Atherton, who is leading the case, said: “We are doing everything we can to provide Robert’s family with the answers they deserve. We still believe there could be key information that people know in the local community.”
He said: “I am again urging anybody who lived on Coronation Street at the time of his disappearance, or has information about Robert’s movements that night, to come forward. The information you have could prove key in our investigations.”
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “The three arrested have since been bailed pending further police inquiries.”
Officers have set up a dedicated webpage for people to be able to share information, and are asked to get in touch online at the link here. Northumbria Police can also be contacted by sending a direct message on social media, using the live chat or report page on their website, or calling 101; quoting reference number NP-20240703-0398.