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Holiday girl abducted, police say Holiday girl abducted, police say
(10 minutes later)
Police searching a Portuguese holiday resort for missing three-year-old British girl Madeleine McCann have said she has been abducted. Police investigating the disappearance of a three-year-old British girl from a Portuguese holiday resort say they believe she has been abducted.
Areas of the Mark Warner Ocean Club in Praia da Luz in the Algarve have been sealed off by officers looking for Madeleine, from Leicestershire. Officers say they have identified a suspect and believe Madeleine McCann, of Leicestershire, remains in the area.
Her parents left her at their apartment on Thursday evening while they were at a nearby restaurant. Her parents left her at their apartment Mark Warner Ocean Club in Praia da Luz in the Algarve on Thursday evening while they were at a nearby restaurant.
Doctors Gerry and Kate McCann have spoken of their "anguish and despair".Doctors Gerry and Kate McCann have spoken of their "anguish and despair".
Relatives have flown to the Algarve to be with the couple, who were holidaying with their three children.Relatives have flown to the Algarve to be with the couple, who were holidaying with their three children.
Speaking to press on Friday evening, Mr and Mrs McCann, from Rothley, pleaded for the return of their "beautiful" Madeleine.Speaking to press on Friday evening, Mr and Mrs McCann, from Rothley, pleaded for the return of their "beautiful" Madeleine.
Mr McCann, with his wife at his side, read out an emotional statement outside the holiday apartments on Friday evening.Mr McCann, with his wife at his side, read out an emotional statement outside the holiday apartments on Friday evening.
"We cannot describe the anguish and despair we are feeling as parents of our beautiful daughter Madeleine," he said."We cannot describe the anguish and despair we are feeling as parents of our beautiful daughter Madeleine," he said.
"We request that anyone with any information relating to Madeleine's disappearance, no matter how trivial, contact the Portuguese police and help us get her back safely.""We request that anyone with any information relating to Madeleine's disappearance, no matter how trivial, contact the Portuguese police and help us get her back safely."
'Slow response''Slow response'
The Ocean Club resort offered a creche service but the couple decided to leave Madeleine and two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie sleeping in the apartment.The Ocean Club resort offered a creche service but the couple decided to leave Madeleine and two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie sleeping in the apartment.
They had taken turns to return from the restaurant to check on their children.They had taken turns to return from the restaurant to check on their children.
Madeleine disappeared while her parents were at a nearby restaurantMadeleine disappeared while her parents were at a nearby restaurant
Madeleine, who turns four next Friday, was last seen by her father at about 2100 local time.Madeleine, who turns four next Friday, was last seen by her father at about 2100 local time.
When Mrs McCann went to check on her about an hour later, she found the bedroom's outside shutter and window had been opened and her daughter missing.When Mrs McCann went to check on her about an hour later, she found the bedroom's outside shutter and window had been opened and her daughter missing.
Police were notified and resort staff and guests helped the McCanns search the complex grounds into Friday morning.Police were notified and resort staff and guests helped the McCanns search the complex grounds into Friday morning.
Pictures of Madeleine have been widely distributed, and ports and the Spanish police put on alert.Pictures of Madeleine have been widely distributed, and ports and the Spanish police put on alert.
Three Family Liaison Officers from Leicestershire Police are due to arrive in the Algarve at the request of the Foreign Office.Three Family Liaison Officers from Leicestershire Police are due to arrive in the Algarve at the request of the Foreign Office.
Mr McCann's sister Philomena, criticised the Portuguese police for initially "playing down" their response to the disappearance.Mr McCann's sister Philomena, criticised the Portuguese police for initially "playing down" their response to the disappearance.
She has been in phone contact with her brother.She has been in phone contact with her brother.
Speaking from her home in Glasgow, she said: "The police have stepped up the search much more than before...Speaking from her home in Glasgow, she said: "The police have stepped up the search much more than before...
"But he thinks it's just too little, too late."But he thinks it's just too little, too late.
"It was hours before the local police turned up and we're talking two bobbies that totally downplayed the incident and said that Maddie had maybe just wandered off.""It was hours before the local police turned up and we're talking two bobbies that totally downplayed the incident and said that Maddie had maybe just wandered off."