Madeleine officers ‘in Portugal’

DETECTIVES from Scotland Yard are understood to have arrived in Portugal to help with the excavation of a number of sites as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Leicestershire girl Madeleine McCann.
Brirish police are to excavate areas in Portugal in their hunt for Madeleine McCann. Picture: APBrirish police are to excavate areas in Portugal in their hunt for Madeleine McCann. Picture: AP
Brirish police are to excavate areas in Portugal in their hunt for Madeleine McCann. Picture: AP

Specialist officers are expected to examine several sites in Praia da Luz after permission to dig was granted by Portuguese authorities.

Madeleine went missing from the area while on a family holiday on May 3, 2007, when she was aged just three.

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The excavations, which are expected to be conducted by forensic experts, are not thought to necessarily be in connection with a search for the youngster’s body or remains.

Janice Runacres, a former forensic manager with the Metropolitan Police, told Sky News: “They will be looking at aerial photography, maybe taking aerial photography now, and looking at historic aerial photography to see if there is any changes in the landscape, changes in perhaps more lush vegetation in certain areas, and this may indicate areas for further focus.”

The request to search a number of sites is thought to be among a series of requests made by British detectives in connection with the search for Madeleine.

At the weekend Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, thanked the public for their unstinting support at a prayer service on the seventh anniversary of her disappearance.

The couple were joined by about 100 well-wishers, friends and relatives for a low-key open-air service in the centre of Rothley, Leicestershire, which saw candles being lit for all children around the world who have been taken away from their parents against their will.

They also spoke of the family’s gratitude that the Metropolitan Police investigation was now moving on to a “very active” phase.