Officers looking for missing Gosmore farmer William Taylor this morning arrested four people from Hitchin on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

William, known as Bill, was last seen at about 9pm at his home south of Hitchin on Sunday, June 3 – eight days before his 70th birthday. He had, days before going missing, reported an arson attack on his Land Rover.

Three Hitchin men aged 18, 22 and 53, and a Hitchin woman aged 52, were all arrested this morning. In addition to the suspicion of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, they have been arrested on suspicion of arson and conspiracy to commit arson in connection with the vehicle fire on May 27.

DCI Carl Foster from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, who is leading the investigation, said: “Extensive enquiries and searches have been carried out since William was reported missing, including a thorough search of the farmland surrounding his home. Today, further searches are taking place at three other addresses in North Herts.

“William’s body has not been found and our enquiries are continuing.

“Understandably this is an extremely difficult time for his family and they have asked for their privacy to be respected.”

Anyone with information that could help the investigation should call 101, or give information at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/824.