Canada Journal – News of the World Articles and videos to bring you the biggest Canadian news stories from across the country every day
Madeleine McCann’s parents have said they remain hopeful she will be found after the size of the detective team investigating her disappearance was scaled down.
Four officers will continue working on the case, down from 29 at the height of the inquiry.
The Metropolitan Police said today that the structure of Operation Grange, which is investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann from Praia da Luz, Portugal in May 2007, has been changed.
Consequently a smaller number of ‘focused lines of inquiry’ will be pursued by Scotland Yard, and the investigation team has been reduced as a result.
‘Officers investigating her disappearance have completed the huge task of bringing together and investigating the massive amount of information held by colleagues in Portugal, the United Kingdom investigation and the private investigators working on behalf of the McCann family,’ a Metropolitan Police report said.
‘While there remain lines of inquiry to follow, the vast majority of the work by Operation Grange has been completed.
‘A team of four officers will continue to work solely on the Grange investigation, funded by the Home Office.’
Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley of the Metropolitan Police said that the force had given assurances to Madeleine’s parents , Kate and Gerry, that they had ‘very definite lines to pursue’.
‘The Met was asked to take on this exceptional case as one of national interest,’ he said.
‘We were happy to bring our expertise to bear only on the basis that it would not detract from the policing of London; and the Home Office have additionally funded the investigation above normal grants to the Met. That will continue at the reduced level.’
Mr and Mrs McCann thanked Operation Grange staff for their work and said they ‘fully understand’ the reasons for the reduction in the investigation team’s size.
Agencies/Canadajournal
