Detectives were last night questioning a 32-year-old man on suspicion of murdering architect Joanna Yeates.

He was detained in the early hours after police investigating the 25-year-old’s death uncovered fresh evidence.

Soon afterwards, specialist search teams moved into the neighbouring flat to where Miss Yeates lived at 44 Canynge Road in Clifton, Bristol.

Dutch engineer Vincent Tabak, 32, is registered as living at the address with his girlfriend Tanja Morson.

Police officers were seen at the offices of his employer, international consultancy Buro Happold, in Lower Bristol Road, Bath.

The firm, and several colleagues, referred all inquiries to Avon and Somerset Police. The force has not named the suspect in custody.

Workers erected scaffolding and green tarpaulin at the rear of the substantial converted Victorian property today.

The screen covers the entrance to flat two, where Mr Tabak lived, and the rear of Miss Yeates’s rented home.

Police sealed off both ends of Canynge Road as officers in white forensic outfits searched the property.

Miss Yeates’s father welcomed the latest development, which comes almost five weeks after she disappeared.

Speaking at the family home in Ampfield, Hants, David Yeates, 63, said he was “pleased” the police investigation was “moving forward”.

He said: “We know as much as you do. We were told at 6am this morning that someone was arrested on suspicion of Jo’s murder and their age.”

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones, who is leading the inquiry, thanked Miss Yeates’s family and boyfriend for their support.

He said: “I would like to thank the public for their continued support for the investigation and the information they have provided to us.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Jo’s family and to Greg, who continue to be unfailing in their support to me and my team at what is an incredibly difficult and painful time for them.”

The early morning arrest is believed to have taken place at a converted Victorian terraced house in Aberdeen Road, Clifton.

Mr Tabak lived at flat one which shares the ground-floor of 44 Canynge Road with flat two, Miss Yeates’s home.

A floor plan reveals the two flats were connected by an interior door that runs between two bedrooms that has since been blocked.

Mr Tabak, a trilingual engineer, is an expert in the flow of people through buildings including sports venues.

Eindhoven University of Technology confirmed Mr Tabak completed a PhD in “User Simulation of Space Utilisation” three or four years ago.

Neither Mr Tabak nor Miss Morson, an analyst at Dyson, in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, could be reached by telephone.

The arrest was the second to be made by detectives since Miss Yeates’s frozen body was found dumped in a lane on the outskirts of Bristol on Christmas Day.

Miss Yeates disappeared on Friday, December 17, after going for Christmas drinks with colleagues at her architectural firm.

Her boyfriend Greg Reardon, 27, reported her missing after he returned to Bristol on December 19 following a weekend away visiting family in Sheffield.

A huge police operation swung into action after her body was found on a verge in Longwood Lane, Failand, North Somerset.

Police have said there was no evidence that she had been sexually assaulted but they have not ruled out a sexual motive.

It is understood they are investigating whether Miss Yeates’s body was taken from her home in a large bag or suitcase.

The line of inquiry arose because there were no drag marks on Miss Yeates’s body or clothing.

It has also been claimed that police found three separate foreign DNA traces on different parts of the victim’s body.

Miss Yeates’s landlord Chris Jefferies, 65, was arrested on December 30 and questioned for three days on suspicion of murder before being released on bail.

Later, forensic officers loaded three wheelie bins and a mountain bike from the address in Aberdeen Road into a unmarked white transit van.