Mayor Cllr Nikki Turton reassured residents that: "Salcombe is still a very safe place to live and work." following the new developments in the Mee Kuen Chong investigation.

Yesterday Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, the lead detective in the Mee Kuen Chong investigation, informed members of the public that the case is now being treated as murder.

Mee had been reported missing from her home in London on Friday, June 11.

Officers attended the scene Bennett Road, Salcombe, at 5 pm, on Sunday, June 27, after receiving a call from a member of the public.

Her body was discovered in a wooded area by the police.

Initially, Mee’s death was being treated as ’unexplained’ by police, but developments on Tuesday lead to the arrest of a 36-year-old woman in Kilburn, London, on suspicion of murder.

Salcombe Mayor Cllr Nikki Turton said: "We are pleased that the police enquiry has progressed relatively swiftly to enable an arrest to be made. "Hopefully this will assist Mee Kuen Chong’s, family as they begin to come to terms with the tragic circumstances of her death."

She added: "As a town, of course, our residents, businesses and visitors are still in shock, particularly now that this very sad situation has been officially elevated to a murder investigation, but we are also relieved that the investigation is moving steadily forwards.

"Because of this, everyone is carrying on with their day-to-day activities, they are assisting the police where they can as the enquiries continue, and we can be reassured that Salcombe is still a very safe place to live, work and enjoy a holiday.

"The police are, naturally, looking to find any connections that the victim, or the accused, may have to Salcombe and any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, should be reported."

A crime scene remains in place at the address and within Salcombe, and police searches are likely to continue there over the coming days.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood said: “It is absolutely vital that anyone who may have information about Mee’s movements over this period share what they know to help us fully understand what happened to her.”

An incident room has now been set up.

Anyone with information should call 0208 358 0300. Alternatively, information can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.