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Madeleine McCann officers use radar in scrubland search Madeleine McCann police confirm further sites to be searched
(35 minutes 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 confirmed that two further sites will be searched in Praia da Luz in Portugal.
The device will be used to look for signs of disturbed earth. The Met Police had previously requested for two other sites to be searched, but until now it was not known whether those requests had been granted.
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. Officers have also begun using ground-penetrating radar equipment, which looks for signs of disturbed earth.
The British girl was three when she went missing in the resort in 2007. Madeleine 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 blue overalls and face masks have been seen walking in and out of them with wheelbarrows. British and Portuguese officers have been searching a 15-acre site for a third day.
The BBC understands that the tents have been put up over a hole in the ground. Two white tents have been put up on the scrubland, and forensic officers wearing blue overalls and face masks have been seen walking in and out of them
The BBC understands that the tents have been put up over a hole in the ground, and officers have been seen filling buckets with earth, which are then placed into a wheelbarrow.
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.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.
At the sceneAt the scene
By Lauren TurnerBy Lauren Turner
The painstaking search of a site in the resort of Praia da Luz has been continuing, with a forensics officer joining the police team on Wednesday.The painstaking search of a site in the resort of Praia da Luz has been continuing, with a forensics officer joining the police team on Wednesday.
Work seems to have been concentrated in one particular area, with police going back and forth to a section of land at the perimeter of the site. Two tents have been erected here - it is unclear if that is to prevent the media from seeing what is being done or to provide shade.Work seems to have been concentrated in one particular area, with police going back and forth to a section of land at the perimeter of the site. Two tents have been erected here - it is unclear if that is to prevent the media from seeing what is being done or to provide shade.
While the police can't be seen from the beach, which is packed with holidaymakers enjoying the Algarve sun, everyone here seems all too aware of the investigation.While the police can't be seen from the beach, which is packed with holidaymakers enjoying the Algarve sun, everyone here seems all too aware of the investigation.
Christina, a 35-year-old from Bournemouth on holiday with family and friends, said: "We walked down here last night and it was quite scary seeing so many police around.Christina, a 35-year-old from Bournemouth on holiday with family and friends, said: "We walked down here last night and it was quite scary seeing so many police around.
"The atmosphere here feels a bit flat because of what's happening. When you're on holiday you don't want to see police around but it's completely understandable.""The atmosphere here feels a bit flat because of what's happening. When you're on holiday you don't want to see police around but it's completely understandable."
Her friend Suzi, 34, said: "It's a bit of a shame because it's a lovely place and this does seem to have had an effect on the economy and on the people here.Her friend Suzi, 34, said: "It's a bit of a shame because it's a lovely place and this does seem to have had an effect on the economy and on the people here.
"But if that was your child, you would want everything possible to be done.""But if that was your child, you would want everything possible to be done."
Several people the BBC spoke to had not known, before arriving at the resort, that it was the place where Madeleine McCann was last seen.Several people the BBC spoke to had not known, before arriving at the resort, that it was the place where Madeleine McCann was last seen.
Josie, 29, from Exeter, on holiday with her partner and one-year-old son, said: "It brings it home to you, being here - it makes it feel more real.Josie, 29, from Exeter, on holiday with her partner and one-year-old son, said: "It brings it home to you, being here - it makes it feel more real.
"We didn't realise when we booked that this was the place. It wasn't until I saw my dad I knew because he told me. I don't know if we would have come here otherwise."We didn't realise when we booked that this was the place. It wasn't until I saw my dad I knew because he told me. I don't know if we would have come here otherwise.
"But police have to do what they have to do. We all want the best for the family.""But police have to do what they have to do. We all want the best for the family."
The Met has also asked for two other locations in Praia da Luz to be examined, and those searches are 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 national Portuguese 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 had happened in holiday villas occupied by UK families in the Algarve.Detectives said the attacks had 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.