PORTUGUESE police think a British effort to solve the Madeleine McCann mystery is a waste of time.
Detectives from Scotland Yard want to dig up land in the Algarve resort where Madeleine vanished seven years ago.
The Brits fear she was abducted by an Algarve sex fiend who had targeted foreign girls before.
But local detectives are now said to believe that her disappearance was “unique” and nothing to do with the pervert behind the assaults.
A Portuguese cold case review team persuaded bosses to reopen their archived Madeleine inquiry last year after discovering similarities between her case and five sex attacks by a mystery man.
They looked into the background of a now dead immigrant burglar, still thought to be among their suspects.
But Portuguese officers told a local paper yesterday that evidence gathered over the last six months had weakened the possibility of a connection.
They suspect a foreigner who has now left the country snatched Madeleine.
They fear she was killed and her body smuggled out of the country. Help me with this - why would someone smuggle a dead body across international boundaries?
The theory signals Portuguese police think excavations near the Praia da Luz complex will be a waste of time. The Portuguese Police's criticism of Scotland Yard seems to be exactly what the Portuguese fear that Scotland Yard will do to them.
Local residents also think the digs are futile. One elderly British expat believed the Met police were “trying to prove a point” and “keep their jobs”.
She added: “I wonder what the British taxpayer thinks? After all, they are paying for it!”
The woman said locals were “mad” and “feel it (the digging)could ruin our tourism”.
She said: “The resort was busy over Easter and although it’s quietened down we’re heading into the main holiday season.
“I can’t imagine any family with young children would want to see officers digging up the ground.” Perhaps those people should have pressured the police into solving the McCann case years ago?
Madeleine, who disappeared from Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007, would be due to celebrate her 11th birthday tomorrow.
Her parents are clinging to the hope that the new probes lead to her being found alive.
Mum Kate has pledged: “We love you and we’re waiting for you and we’re never going to give up.”
Tomorrow Kate and husband Gerry, along with their nine-year-old twins Sean and Amelie, will join family members and friends for a low-key party at their home in Rothley, Leics.
They will say prayers and light candles wishing for Madeleine’s safe return.
Former GP Kate, 46, and heart doctor Gerry, 45, will also lay gifts in their daughter’s bedroom which has remained unchanged since she disappeared.
Kate paid tribute to her daughter to mark last week’s seventh anniversary, saying: “We miss you every day, as we did that very first day.”
She added: “I can’t believe it! It’s a long time. You think – 11, she’s due to start big school in September.”
Last week a team of Met detectives, led by Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, inset, visited Praia da Luz and are now studying aerial photos taken from an air force helicopter ahead of any digging.
No date has been set for the digs, which are expected to be preceded by searches involving ground-penetrating radar and sniffer dogs.
Please pray for the McCanns in this very difficult time. Also pray for a miracle for Madeleine to be found alive and well. God is still in the miracle business.
Detectives from Scotland Yard want to dig up land in the Algarve resort where Madeleine vanished seven years ago.
The Brits fear she was abducted by an Algarve sex fiend who had targeted foreign girls before.
But local detectives are now said to believe that her disappearance was “unique” and nothing to do with the pervert behind the assaults.
A Portuguese cold case review team persuaded bosses to reopen their archived Madeleine inquiry last year after discovering similarities between her case and five sex attacks by a mystery man.
They looked into the background of a now dead immigrant burglar, still thought to be among their suspects.
But Portuguese officers told a local paper yesterday that evidence gathered over the last six months had weakened the possibility of a connection.
They suspect a foreigner who has now left the country snatched Madeleine.
They fear she was killed and her body smuggled out of the country. Help me with this - why would someone smuggle a dead body across international boundaries?
The theory signals Portuguese police think excavations near the Praia da Luz complex will be a waste of time. The Portuguese Police's criticism of Scotland Yard seems to be exactly what the Portuguese fear that Scotland Yard will do to them.
Field near Ocean Club where a man was seen carrying a small child |
She added: “I wonder what the British taxpayer thinks? After all, they are paying for it!”
The woman said locals were “mad” and “feel it (the digging)could ruin our tourism”.
She said: “The resort was busy over Easter and although it’s quietened down we’re heading into the main holiday season.
“I can’t imagine any family with young children would want to see officers digging up the ground.” Perhaps those people should have pressured the police into solving the McCann case years ago?
Madeleine, who disappeared from Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007, would be due to celebrate her 11th birthday tomorrow.
Her parents are clinging to the hope that the new probes lead to her being found alive.
Mum Kate has pledged: “We love you and we’re waiting for you and we’re never going to give up.”
Kate and Gerry McCann - 7 Year Nightmare |
They will say prayers and light candles wishing for Madeleine’s safe return.
Former GP Kate, 46, and heart doctor Gerry, 45, will also lay gifts in their daughter’s bedroom which has remained unchanged since she disappeared.
Kate paid tribute to her daughter to mark last week’s seventh anniversary, saying: “We miss you every day, as we did that very first day.”
She added: “I can’t believe it! It’s a long time. You think – 11, she’s due to start big school in September.”
Last week a team of Met detectives, led by Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood, inset, visited Praia da Luz and are now studying aerial photos taken from an air force helicopter ahead of any digging.
No date has been set for the digs, which are expected to be preceded by searches involving ground-penetrating radar and sniffer dogs.
Please pray for the McCanns in this very difficult time. Also pray for a miracle for Madeleine to be found alive and well. God is still in the miracle business.
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