A MAN has been arrested in connection with the death of a Renfrewshire woman almost two decades ago.

Police said the 49-year-old suspect was detained earlier today as part of a long-running investigation into the death of Emma Caldwell, from Erskine.

Emma, 27, was working in the sex industry when her body was found in woods near Biggar, South Lanarkshire, in May 2005.

She had been reported missing a month earlier.

The arrest of the man in the Glasgow area follows significant enquiries by detectives from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, the Scottish Police Authority and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

He remains in custody.

The Gazette: Emma CaldwellEmma Caldwell

Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie, senior investigating officer, said: "Police Scotland officers have undertaken a significant amount of work re-investigating all the circumstances surrounding Emma’s death following instruction from the Lord Advocate in 2015.

"This is a complex and challenging investigation and I would like to thank everyone involved for their efforts in getting us to this point of a man being arrested earlier today.

“Emma’s family – in particular her mother Margaret – have shown incredible resilience and determination since her death in 2005 and I would like to pay tribute to that today.

“We have remained in close contact with them during this investigation and officers have updated Margaret on this significant development.

“The investigation into Emma’s death continues and I would urge anyone with information, no matter how small or insignificant they might think it is, to please come forward and speak to us.

“As legal proceedings are now live, we are unable to comment further.”

Emma was last seen alive between 12.30am and 1.30am on April 5, 2005, in London Road, Glasgow.

She was reported missing by her family five days later and her body was discovered on May 8, 2005.