Arrests made over student's murder in Italy

Detectives hunting for the killer of British exchange student Meredith Kercher have made arrests, police in Italy said today.

The 21-year-old was found with her throat cut in her bedroom in the central Italian city of Perugia last Friday.

Reports today suggested that three people had been arrested in connection with her death.

A police spokeswoman in Perugia refused to confirm that number and would only say some arrests had been made.

Miss Kercher's partially-clothed body was discovered under a duvet at a house in the Viale Sant'Antonio, not far from the city centre.

It is feared she may have been involved in a sexual encounter that went horrifically wrong.

Medical examiner Luca Lalli has confirmed there was evidence of sexual activity before she died, but refused to comment on suggestions that she had been raped.

The possibility that she was killed by two men is now being considered by police, according to reports.

Investigating magistrate Nicola Miriano said Miss Kercher's death was caused "by a violent action by an unidentified person or persons".

Detectives had reportedly been looking at whether she met a man at a Halloween party and was murdered after inviting him back to her student lodgings.

Police were thought to be closing in on the killer after apparently discovering his mobile phone number on Miss Kercher's own mobile.

Officers were also said to be going through the student's diary and laptop, as well as examining postings on the social networking site Facebook.

Hours before she died, the 21-year-old had posted pictures of herself at the Halloween party held the night before.