A 37-year-old man was tonight being questioned by British police on suspicion of murdering five prostitutes.
The supermarket worker was arrested at his home in Trimley St Martin, Suffolk, shortly before 7.30am today.
Police sources named him as Tom Stephens, a former special constable, who has also worked as a taxi driver.
News of the arrest was announced by police during a media conference at Suffolk Police Headquarters, near Ipswich, just after 9.30am.
Detective Chief Superintendent Stewart Gull said the man was arrested on suspicion of the murders of Gemma Adams (25); Tania Nicol (19); Anneli Alderton (24); Paula Clennell (24); and Annette Nicholls (29).
Undated photo of Tom Stephens
The bodies of all five women were found in isolated locations near Ipswich, Suffolk, during a ten-day period earlier this month. All worked as prostitutes in the town and police said all were found naked.
Post-mortem examinations have revealed that Ms Alderton was strangled and Ms Clannell died as a result of "compression" to the neck. Police said the cause of death of the other three women was unclear and are waiting for the results of toxicology tests.
In an interview yesterday with a Sunday newspaper, Mr Stephens said he was a friend of all the women but denied any involvement with their deaths. He did, however, predict in the Sunday Mirrorthat he "could get arrested" over the killings.
In the interview, Mr Stephens said "I know that I'm innocent" and claimed the women "trusted me so much". He described himself as "sad and lonely" and said he had made "compromises on my morals" to visit the red light district.
Neighbours of Mr Stephens said police arrived at his home at about 7.20am. A car thought to belong to him was later taken away.
Forensic teams and search officers spent most of the day at Mr Stephens's house. Neighbours said teams of forensic police officers had visited the property several weeks ago.
Sources said Mr Stephens had been a special constable in Norfolk for about five years during the 1990s. They also said he had worked as a part-time taxi driver in Ipswich.
Mr Stephens also worked at the Tesco store near Suffolk Police headquarters in Martlesham. A spokesman for the supermarket said he was suspended on full pay at the weekend.