Isle of Bute: Man arrested on suspicion of murdering six-year-old Alesha MacPhail
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering six-year-old Alesha MacPhail, Police Scotland has confirmed.
The suspect's age has not been revealed and no further details about the arrest have been made public.
Despite what the police have called a "major development", the force is still urging anyone with information to come forward.
Alesha was reported missing from her grandmother's home in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute at 6.25am on Monday.
Her body was found in woodland on the site of a former hotel by a member of the public around two-and-a-half hours later at 9am.
Following the results of a post-mortem examination on Tuesday, police confirmed they are treating the schoolgirl's death as murder.
(Image: Daily Record)
(Image: Daily Record)
Islanders have been warned to be vigilant about the safety of their children and the security of their homes as investigations continue.
There was increased police activity at the property where Alesha had been staying this morning.
More than a dozen officers entered the garden of the property with long sticks to search the gardens and bushes surrounding the building.
A Police Scotland spokesman confirmed a number of items, including a vehicle, have been recovered as part of the investigation.
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The senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston, said: "The response to our earlier public appeals has been significant.
"However, despite this evening’s major development, I am still appealing for anyone who was in the Ardbeg Road area of Bute on Sunday night or in the early hours of Monday and who may have information about Alesha’s death to contact us.
"Anyone who has CCTV at their home or business, or indeed any motorists with dashcam footage which might help with our investigation are also urged to get in touch."
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Alesha's death was said to have impacted all those living in the "tight-knit community".
Councillor Len Scoullar said: "Everyone is very shocked, very sympathetic and concerned.
"We will all be offering our very sincere condolences to the family.
"We are a very small island community, people are genuinely grieving for the family."