WILTSHIRE Police have criticised the Sunday Express newspaper for running a story on its front page relating to its search of a Ramsbury Pond as part of an investigation into the murder of Sian O’Callaghan.

Wiltshire Police say the story , which was headlined Found: Secret Lair of Serial Killer and appears on the front cover of today's paper (June 1) is unhelpful and speculative.

The story follows a police announcement that its search of the pond has ended.

In the search Sian's boots and a single barrel shotgun were recovered from the pond, and 60 items of material, believed to be clothing, plus a cardigan, were found in nearby woodland.

The Sunday Express article links the Ramsbury pond search to a several other missing women.

A police spokesman said: “We are disappointed that this article has been printed. Although a ‘CID’ source has been quoted, the comments made by this individual are highly speculative and unhelpful to our investigations.

"The searches in the Ramsbury area have been completed as of 4.30pm on 31 May and the items found are now subject to review and testing. Wiltshire police have made no links to the missing women mentioned or any other cases at this stage.

"Detectives are in the early stages of the review and any forensic testing. Speculation such as this is unhelpful and can be potentially distressing for families who may have lost their loved ones.

"Wiltshire Police are committed to ensuring a thorough investigation and will maximise any evidential opportunities that are found. However, at this stage it is too early to make links to missing women or to speculate on why the items were found there.”

Christopher Halliwell pleaded guilty to killing Sian O'Callaghan in 2012 and he is currently serving a 25-year sentence for her murder, Halliwell pleaded guilty to killing Sian O'Callaghan but was not tried for a second murder after leading police to Becky Godden's buried body in a field near Fairford.