Police say they have started the difficult process of securing evidence from a grave in All Saints Church in Lydalls Road, Didcot. 

Detectives gathered at the church last night as they continued their search for the body of missing teenager Jayden Parkinson.

At a briefing at midday today Detective Chief Superintendent Andrew Murray said: "We have started the difficult process of securing evidence from a grave site.

"We have all day, all evening and all night if necessary until that process is complete."

He said there had been evidence of recent and unathorised disturbance at the site. 

He added: "We are in constant contact with Jayden's family and they will be the first to hear if we get any news."

  • Listen to Det Chf Supt Murray's update on Wednesday

The 17-year-old, a pupil at Didcot Girls’ School until last year, disappeared on Tuesday, December 3 and she was last seen that day, on CCTV, at Didcot Parkway railway station, at about 4.30pm on December 3.

Last night police said they had received a new tip-off that led to them to a specific part of the cemetery at the church.

Det Ch Sup Andrew Murray said: "The families of those in the graves nearby will be contacted by us and reassured that there will be no disturbance to these graves.

"We would ask people not to be concerned, as families who need to be aware will be contacted and reassured by us.

“The investigation could take some time and is a very sensitive and difficult situation so we would like to ask the public and the media to be patient and understanding at this time.”

  • Listen to last night's press conference