A 24-year-old Burnley man has been arrested by police investigating the death of PC Sharon Beshenivsky.

Muzzaker Imtiaz Shah and a 23-year-old man were detained at a launderette in the Maindee area of Newport, Gwent, yesterday.

Community leaders today welcomed the announcement as a sign that the truth may now come out.

Police had been hunting Shah for the last three weeks but today said they were no longer searching for the man known by nicknames 'Pesci' and 'P'.

Both men were transported 200 miles to a West Yorkshire police station for questioning.

Police confirmed that the operation was linked to an inquiry into the killing of PC Sharon Beshenivsky in Bradford, West Yorkshire last month.

Mustaf Jama, 25, is still wanted in connection with the killing.

Detective Superintendent Andy Brennan, of West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, who is leading the investigation, said: "Officers are still keen to trace 25-year-old Mustaf Jama and urge him to contact police as a matter of urgency."

He confirmed officers were no longer looking for Shah in connection with the inquiry.

Det Supt Brennan also reminded the public there was a £90,000 reward available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the crime.

PC Beshenivsky, a 38-year-old mother of five, was killed while investigating a robbery in Bradford on November 18, the date of her youngest daughter Lydia's fourth Birthday.

Her colleague, PC Teresa Milburn, 37, was also shot in the shoulder.

People living near the house surrounded by police were evacuated for "their own safety" while the street was sealed off.

Others were told to stay indoors and away from windows.

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: "We had been attempting to make contact with a man who was believed to be in the Maindee area of Newport and was wanted for questioning in relation to a firearms offence."

Daneshouse with Stoneyholme councillor Mozaquir Ali said: "There has been alot of uncertainty in the community since this tragic incident because one of the men allegedly involved was said to be from Burnley. It is welcome that somebody has been arrested and I hope he is able to help the police with their enquiries and that the truth will come out."

o Jama's brother Yusuf Jama, 19, will stand trial next year charged with PC Beshenivsky's murder as well as attempted murder, possession of a firearm and robbery.