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Madeleine McCann officers use radar in scrubland search | Madeleine McCann officers use radar in scrubland search |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have begun using ground-penetrating radar equipment on scrubland in the Algarve. | Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have begun using ground-penetrating radar equipment on scrubland in the Algarve. |
The device will be used to look for signs of disturbed earth. | The device will be used to look for signs of disturbed earth. |
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. | 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. |
Two white tents have been put up on the scrubland, and forensic officers wearing white overalls and face masks have been seen walking in and out of them. | |
Difficult terrain | Difficult terrain |
Earlier on Wednesday, officers in 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. |