A SECOND man was still being held by detectives today after he was arrested on suspicion of murdering five Ipswich prostitutes.Police arrested Steve Wright, 48, at his home in London Road, Ipswich, at 5am yesterday on suspicion of killing Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell, Anneli Alderton and Annette Nicholls.

By Danielle Nuttall

A SECOND man was still being held by detectives today after he was arrested on suspicion of murdering five Ipswich prostitutes.

Police arrested Steve Wright, 48, at his home in London Road, Ipswich, at 5am yesterday on suspicion of killing Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell, Anneli Alderton and Annette Nicholls.

The development, which was announced during a press conference at Suffolk police headquarters, has been described by police sources as “significant”.

Within hours of his arrest, officers towed away a dark blue Ford Mondeo - believed to belong to Mr Wright - for forensic tests to be carried out.

Eye witnesses reported seeing Mr Wright led away from his home still wearing his night clothes.

He is the second suspect to be arrested in connection with the inquiry in as many days.

Supermarket worker Tom Stephens, 37, from Trimley St Martin, was arrested on suspicion of killing all five women at 7.20am on Monday.

Both men were still being questioned at unnamed police stations in Suffolk this morning. Police have been granted an extra 36 hours to question Mr Stephens.

Police yesterday launched a search of the property in London Road, which is on the edge of Ipswich's red light district.

A long stretch of the road was cordoned off and a large white tent was erected outside No 79, where Mr Wright was believed to live in a bedsit.

Scaffolding was also put up yesterday afternoon as police looked to secure the area in their search for potential clues.

Officers loaded a dark blue Ford Mondeo, registration B051 CKC, on to a transporter as officers dressed in white forensic suits began to search for evidence.

A man living two doors down from number 79 told how he saw the suspect being arrested.

Joe Franey, 50, said: “The police arrived at about 5am. There was just a hammering and a banging on the door.

“We saw him being led out, he was dressed. He seemed quite composed, quite normal. He was just led across to the police car and led away.”

Mr Franey, a gourmet food seller, said there were four police cars and around nine officers at the house.

He said the man who lived at 79 with his partner had not lived in the area long and was quite quiet.

“They were very isolated, they kept themselves to themselves,” he said.

“We see them around and said good morning and good evening but they didn't mix at all. It is quite a close area and they didn't make any attempt to mix at all.”

Mr Franey said police had been along London Road on Sunday, asking locals to fill out detailed questionnaires, giving height and age and asking where each person was when the women disappeared.

Beni Patel, who owns a B&B opposite the property the police have been searching, said she did not know the man who had been arrested.

“They have cordoned the place off. It is house number 79 they have been searching,” she said.

“His car has been searched thoroughly and towed. They've taken the car, and one lane is closed, cordoned off.”

Unemployed Alfie Smith, 60, told how he saw a man being led out of an address in London Road at around 5am.

“I live opposite where the police went to,” he said. “I saw lots of policemen. They just took this man out and away he went in a car.

“I didn't see his face - he sort of had his head turned away. The man was just in his night clothes. I just saw all the police and didn't really know what was going on.

“It was very frightening.”

Gemma Adams, 25, of Blenheim Road, Ipswich, was last seen on November 15. Her body was found in Belstead Brook, near Hintlesham, on December 2.

Tania Nicol, 19, of Woolverstone Close, Ipswich, went missing on November 1. Her body was found in Belstead Brook, near Copdock Mill, on December 8.

Anneli Alderton, 24, from Colchester, went missing on December 3. Her body was found near Amberfield School, Nacton, on December 10.

Paula Clennell, 24, of Elliott Street, Ipswich, went missing on December 10. Her body was found close to 'Old Felixstowe Road', near Levington, on December 12.

Annette Nicholls, 29, who lived on Ipswich's Ravenswood estate, went missing on December 5. Her body was found close to 'Old Felixstowe Road', near Levington, on December 12.