DETECTIVES hunting the killer of Hampshire mum Pennie Davis were today quizzing a second suspect on suspicion of murder after his dramatic arrest last night.

The 36-year-old was taken in to custody for questioning after he was apprehended in Southampton - exactly one week after the brutal killing in a New Forest field.

The new twist came after teams of specialist and armed police have repeatedly descended on the community where 47-year-old Pennie lived and worked in recent days.

And it came just a short time after detectives leading the murder probe confirmed to the Daily Echo that they were looking for a suspect who they believed was dangerous and could be armed.

It was due to this threat that specially trained officers had focused their searches on the Waterside area, scouring buildings and conducting stop checks on key roads.

The national police helicopter had also been drafted in to help.

Shortly before the arrest last night, police chiefs warned the man they were looking for was “a dangerous offender” who needed to be found and said those aware of who he was and where he might be should not approach him but call 999.

Residents living in the area told the Daily Echo how they felt their community had been in 'lockdown' due to the number of police seen in the area and the circling of the national police helicopter in the skies across the Waterside for several days.

Specialist dogs teams have also been seen carrying out searches and patrols since Saturday.

They appeared to be concentrating their efforts around the Long Lane area of Hardley and the Netley View housing estate, neighbouring Blackfield and around the Hythe bypass.

Yesterday detectives leading the hunt for Pennie's killer revealed she could have been followed to the paddock near Beaulieu which she had only been renting for a week.

She was found dead by her husband of four months, Pete, having been stabbed.

Officers yesterday returned to the scene exactly a week on from the killing, stopping drivers in the hope of gleaning new information.

Detective Supt Paul Barton, said: “It's been a week since Pennie was murdered and in that time we've made significant progress with more than 200 officers and staff working on the investigation.

“We're continuing to follow up several lines of enquiry and I'm really grateful to everyone who has called in with information.

“Pennie had recently starting renting out the field but not many people were aware of that. One of our lines of enquiry therefore is the possibility she was followed from Blackfield Sainsbury's, where she'd been working that morning, to the paddock by Leygreen Farm.

“I'd ask anyone with information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it may be, to contact us.”

Meanwhile, officers have remained out in force in the Waterside community, most recently conducting a search of the Travis Perkins yard in Long Lane, Hardley.

Eye witnesses were told by police officers that they were looking for a suspect who was armed. Around nine officers forced their way into the yard before conducting an hour-long search of the premises just after 7.30pm on Monday.

One eye witness said he was told by officers that they were looking for two suspects.

Emma Crayton, 32, who lives in Roman Road close to the yard, said: "One policeman was in the road while others were in the trees at the back shining torches up and down and tramping down the grass for about an hour.

"One had gone into the Travis Perkins yard.

"They were quite bulky and looked like they had stab vests.

"Someone told me there was something going on in the yard and they were looking for someone.

"Everyone's shook up and I feel quite uneasy in the area walking the dog ."

Neighbour Rose Nolan, 68, who has heard helicopters go overheard during the last three days said: "It concerns me because it's in an area that's normally quiet.

"I feel quite vulnerable just going down to the post box.”

A 40-year-old woman who didn't want to be named, said: "I am keeping my doors locked now.

"I feel we should be informed as if they are looking for someone who is dangerous I would like to know if we should be more vigilant."

Jim Danks,51, from Netley View, says police cars were constantly patrolling the estate and that he saw five police cars and dog handlers in an industrial estate on Saturday evening.

He said: "Everyone's talking about it and everyone's worried.

"They should let us know even if it's just a leaflet through the door."

Mia Delve, 35, who works at the Forest Home pub and saw 13 police on the roundabout next to Long Lane said: "We want to know we are safe so we can put out minds at rest."

On Saturday the police helicopter was reported hovering over a number of sites across Fawley and Hythe whilst police were also seen at various locations along the A326 throughout the day apparently carrying out stop checks.

Hampshire police would not confirm whether the searches were in connection with the Pennie Davis murder inquiry, but it is understood that the net was last night closing in on their man.

n A 22-year-old man who had previously been questioned on suspicion of murder was bailed on Monday evening pending further inquiries.