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Madeleine McCann scrubland search enters third day Madeleine McCann officers use radar in scrubland search
(35 minutes later)
British and Portuguese police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have started the third day of searches of an area of scrubland in the Algarve. Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have begun using ground-penetrating radar equipment on scrubland in the Algarve.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police have been using sniffer dogs to search the area cordoned off in Praia da Luz. The device will be used to look for signs of disturbed earth.
They are also using spades to help sift through the undergrowth. British and Portuguese officers are on the third day of searching an area cordoned off in Praia da Luz. The BBC understands the search could be extended if necessary.
The British girl was three when she went missing in the resort in 2007.The British girl was three when she went missing in the resort in 2007.
On Wednesday morning, officers wearing Met Police uniforms were driven to the edge of the cordoned-off area, where they were joined by Portuguese officers and local forestry workers with strimmers. Difficult terrain
On Wednesday morning, officers wearing Metropolitan Police uniforms were driven to the edge of the cordoned-off area, where they were joined by Portuguese police and local forestry workers with strimmers.
A man in plain clothes wheeled the radar equipment onto a section of ground that had earlier been cleared.
Officers from the Met and South Wales Police have also been working with sniffer dogs and using spades to help sift through the undergrowth.
They are being overseen by the Met's Det Ch Insp Andy Redwood, the senior officer investigating the case.They are being overseen by the Met's Det Ch Insp Andy Redwood, the senior officer investigating the case.
The local newspaper, Correio da Manha, reported that the sewage network around the Ocean Club, where the McCanns were staying when Madeleine disappeared, would be searched. The Met has also asked for two other locations in Praia da Luz to be examined, and the searches were expected to be completed by Friday.
But Portuguese police sources told the BBC the search may be extended if there is a significant find. Officers are believed to have been surprised by the difficulty of the terrain, while the police also need to consider the disruption to local residents.
On Wednesday morning, the local newspaper, Correio da Manha, reported that the sewage network around the Ocean Club, where the McCanns were staying when Madeleine disappeared, would be searched.
Officers will use cameras linked to fibre-optic cables, the paper said. It also reported that the bones of cows and pigs had been unearthed by the search on Tuesday.Officers will use cameras linked to fibre-optic cables, the paper said. It also reported that the bones of cows and pigs had been unearthed by the search on Tuesday.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said there would be no running commentary on the operation.A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said there would be no running commentary on the operation.
Two sniffer dogs have been provided by South Wales Police for the search.Two sniffer dogs have been provided by South Wales Police for the search.
The Met has also asked for two other locations in Praia da Luz to be examined, and the BBC understands that all the searches will be completed by Friday.
The Met launched a fresh investigation into Madeleine's disappearance last July, codenamed Operation Grange.The Met launched a fresh investigation into Madeleine's disappearance last July, codenamed Operation Grange.
In March, they said they were seeking an intruder who sexually abused five girls in Portugal between 2004 and 2006.In March, they said they were seeking an intruder who sexually abused five girls in Portugal between 2004 and 2006.
Detectives said the attacks happened in holiday villas occupied by UK families in the Algarve.Detectives said the attacks happened in holiday villas occupied by UK families in the Algarve.
And last month Scotland Yard said a "substantial phase of operational activity" in Portugal would start soon.And last month Scotland Yard said a "substantial phase of operational activity" in Portugal would start soon.