Police looking for a missing woman who they fear has been murdered have searched a brook and parkland in Leicester.
Officers carried out the operation today near a house in Hughenden Drive, Aylestone, where a 38-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murdering Sameena Imam.
Sameena, 34, was reported missing on Christmas Eve when she failed to return to her Coventry home after work.
Officers also detained a 40-year-old man in Coventry on Wednesday.
Both remained in police custody today and are being questioned on suspicion of murder.
Today, officers waded through Saffron Brook and carried out an inch-by-inch search of parkland attached to the former St Mary's allotments yesterday.
West Midlands Police, which is leading the investigation, said no body or remains have been recovered.
A Hughenden Drive resident said: "We've been watching everything the police have been doing here over the past three days and you really begin to worry about this poor woman.
"I just hope for her family and friends' sake that she is found safe and well."
A friend of Sameena said: "She has friends nationwide and we are all desperate to hear from her.
"It's all so unusual. There is just no sign of her at all.
"I fear there is something desperately amiss and I think we are all just praying for a miracle now.
"We just want to hear that she is safe and well."
Sameena, known by many of her friends as Sam, was reported missing when she did not come home from work at Costco in Coventry.
West Midlands Police said her car – a black 1 series BMW, registration MR51 MAM – was found in Luton last weekend.
A white tent which was placed in front of the Hughenden Drive house following the man's arrest at 6am on Wednesday was no longer there this morning.
Residents said officers have also searched bins. One reported seeing officers with shovels.
Detectives were said to have called at the house and its neighbours several times over the past two weeks, asking for a man by name.
A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "Sameena's family have been kept up to date with today's developments.
Detective Superintendent Mark Payne, who is leading the investigation, said: "Sameena has been missing for two weeks and we are extremely concerned for her.
"We continue to work closely with her family as this investigation progresses."
Sameena was last seen at her workplace, Costco, in Torrington Avenue, Coventry at 4pm on Christmas Eve. She is approximately 5ft 3ins, is medium build and was wearing a dark coat.
Sameena has work and family connections with Cardiff, London, South Yorkshire and the West Midlands.
