This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6641343.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Madeleine police 'inexperienced' Madeleine police 'inexperienced'
(20 minutes later)
The grandmother of Madeleine McCann has said Portuguese police made mistakes at the start of the hunt for her, possibly because they were "inexperienced".The grandmother of Madeleine McCann has said Portuguese police made mistakes at the start of the hunt for her, possibly because they were "inexperienced".
Susan Healey, from Merseyside, said the three-year-old's parents had found it hard to communicate to police what had happened when they raised the alarm. Susan Healy, from Liverpool, said the three-year-old's parents had found it hard to communicate to police what had happened when they raised the alarm.
But she said the family had to move on and pray for someone to come forward.But she said the family had to move on and pray for someone to come forward.
Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, a week ago.Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, a week ago.
Mrs Healey told Sky News that the McCanns, who are Catholic, were drawing strength from each other, as well as prayers, support, sympathy and kindness. Mrs Healy, of Mossley Hill, told Sky News that the McCanns, who are Catholic, were drawing strength from each other, as well as prayers, support, sympathy and kindness.
"They can pull it together when they have to, but obviously there are times when they are very distraught," she said."They can pull it together when they have to, but obviously there are times when they are very distraught," she said.
Map of resortMap of resort
Mrs Healey added that the inexperience of the Portuguese police possibly led to mistakes initially, but added that debating what went wrong "doesn't achieve anything". Mrs Healy added that the inexperience of the Portuguese police possibly led to mistakes initially, but added that debating what went wrong "doesn't achieve anything".
The British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, however said he had been assured by Portuguese authorities that "everything possible" was being done to ensure the girl's safe return. However, the British ambassador to Portugal, John Buck, said earlier this week he had been assured by Portuguese authorities that "everything possible" was being done to ensure the girl's safe return.
And the Portuguese ambassador in London Antonio Santana Carlos asked people to trust the police who, under Portuguese law, can disclose very little information.And the Portuguese ambassador in London Antonio Santana Carlos asked people to trust the police who, under Portuguese law, can disclose very little information.
Madeleine's uncle, John McCann, also countered criticism from those who say the couple were wrong to leave their children alone in the holiday apartment while they ate dinner at a nearby restaurant. Meanwhile, Madeleine's uncle, John McCann, from Glasgow, has countered criticism from those who say the couple were wrong to leave their children alone in the holiday apartment while they ate dinner at a nearby restaurant.
MADELEINE APPEAL Madeleine's family have created a poster appealing for people with information to call Crimestoppers Download the poster [400 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereMADELEINE APPEAL Madeleine's family have created a poster appealing for people with information to call Crimestoppers Download the poster [400 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
"If you look at the layout of that place, it was entirely safe. The issue at stake here was, that the flat was broken into, and wee Madeleine was abducted," he told BBC Radio Five Live Breakfast. "If you look at the layout of that place, it was entirely safe. The issue at stake here was, that the flat was broken into, and wee Madeleine was abducted," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
On Wednesday, Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate, issued a statement thanking those involved in the search for their daughter.On Wednesday, Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate, issued a statement thanking those involved in the search for their daughter.
"At present we are channelling all of our emotions and all of our efforts into the steps that are being taken to secure Madeleine's safe return.""At present we are channelling all of our emotions and all of our efforts into the steps that are being taken to secure Madeleine's safe return."
Meanwhile, a sexually-motivated abduction is emerging as the main line of inquiry, BBC correspondent Matthew Presland said. A sexually-motivated abduction is emerging as the main line of inquiry, BBC correspondent Matthew Presland said.
Police have handed out CCTV footage showing a woman with a girl fitting Madeleine's description at a service station just a few miles from where she was abducted.Police have handed out CCTV footage showing a woman with a girl fitting Madeleine's description at a service station just a few miles from where she was abducted.
Madeleine hunt in pictures Show reconsiders kidnap plot Madeleine hunt in pictures Show reconsiders kidnap plot
The woman was said to be urging the girl to say "thank you" to staff, but the youngster had appeared reluctant.The woman was said to be urging the girl to say "thank you" to staff, but the youngster had appeared reluctant.
They have also asked locals if they recognise an image of a possible suspect, described by one shopkeeper as looking like "an egg with hair".They have also asked locals if they recognise an image of a possible suspect, described by one shopkeeper as looking like "an egg with hair".
British child abduction experts have been in Portugal to assist the investigation.British child abduction experts have been in Portugal to assist the investigation.
Superintendent Graham Hill of Surrey police, who investigated the disappearance and murder of Surrey schoolgirl, Milly Dowler, is among them.Superintendent Graham Hill of Surrey police, who investigated the disappearance and murder of Surrey schoolgirl, Milly Dowler, is among them.
Later on Thursday, the Anglican church in Praia da Luz will hold a prayer vigil for Madeleine.Later on Thursday, the Anglican church in Praia da Luz will hold a prayer vigil for Madeleine.
Its vicar, Father Hain Hubbard, said: "We all have deep fears and absolute hope."Its vicar, Father Hain Hubbard, said: "We all have deep fears and absolute hope."
Madeleine is believed to have been taken from her bed last Thursday evening while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant.Madeleine is believed to have been taken from her bed last Thursday evening while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant.
They had been regularly checking on her and their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.They had been regularly checking on her and their two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.
An online appeal to help find Madeleine has also been set up.An online appeal to help find Madeleine has also been set up.
The appeal by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and the Virtual Global Taskforce is available in English, Portuguese and Spanish on www.ceop.gov.uk.The appeal by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and the Virtual Global Taskforce is available in English, Portuguese and Spanish on www.ceop.gov.uk.
Crimestoppers have also set up an international number - +44 1883 731 336 - which people with information can call anonymously.Crimestoppers have also set up an international number - +44 1883 731 336 - which people with information can call anonymously.
The complex where Madeleine disappeared The complex where Madeleine disappeared
Return to topReturn to top