[Sunny_01]

UK experts join hunt for Madeleine


Madeleine McCann was abducted in Portugal last Thursday evening
As the search for missing Madeleine McCann entered its sixth day, efforts to home in on her abductor stepped up a gear.

Two "Cracker-style" criminal behaviour experts from the UK flew into the Algarve region on Tuesday to join Portuguese investigators working on the case.

Police in the country have already followed up 350 different leads, interviewed 100 people and taken hundreds more calls from the public but their response to Madeleine's disappearance has been criticised.
The little girl's great uncle, Brian Kennedy, told the Mirror: "It took the police a long time to get things moving. The early stages could have been much quicker."

On Tuesday night, as police moved to restore confidence in their efforts, the British Ambassador to Portugal stepped in to defuse criticism of the police. After visiting Madeleine's distraught parents Gerry and Kate, John Buck emerged to say that the couple appreciated the Portuguese efforts and said specialists from the two countries were working well together. He also revealed he had been in touch with Portuguese cabinet ministers and the office of the Prime Minister.

Mr Buck, who has visited the couple repeatedly throughout their ordeal, said after his latest visit: "I wanted to assure myself personally that the necessary links between British and Portuguese experts here on the ground were working well, and they are." He added: "They (the McCanns) are very pleased with the collaboration of the British authorities, they are in close touch with Interpol and Europol and I know Kate and Gerry, with whom I have just been speaking over the last hour, are very grateful for their efforts."

His Portuguese counterpart in London also said police were doing all they could but had to abide by the country's secrecy laws.

Criticism of the handling of the case has been intensified by a virtual news blackout imposed by Portuguese law which bans police from revealing details of a case under investigation.

Taken from AOL news

[GlitterEyes]

Originally posted by L
I agree Sunny. We have a family holiday in the UK every year, and over the years we have gradually been able to stay out a wee bit later, according to the age of our children. Last year we were able to stay out til amost 10pm before the kids got too tired (which was really late compared to the year before!), but we always go back to our accomodation together, and basically find something to do there whilst the kids sleep. It's nice to be able to stay out later, but that'll come over time as they get older and are able to stay awake for longer.

This is why I brought up the question of whether it was a "done thing" on holidays abroad. I know a lot of these resorts are geared round families, and I wasn't sure if it was something that many families tend to do. Maybe someone who visits these resorts will be able to answer that question.

I think alot of responsible adults accept that when having young children "alone time" doesn't happen. The child should be with someone at all times. It does seem that this has raised issues as some parents think its fine to leave a child in a hotel room alone...I don't think they realise that is isnt the same as leaving a child upstairs in bed while they are watching tv downstairs or whatever. I don't know about anyone else but I know when I am in any hotel I don't even leave money, jewellry or anything valuable in the hotel room because of cleaners etc that could swipe it so how they could leave a child really gets to me. If a fire had broken out I would still come to the same conclusion that they shouldn't of been left alone. Something which could of very easily been avoided aswell.

[Crystal-Rose]

its terriable whats happened, i am hopingso much she comes back saftley, the parents must be feeling so helpless, i know people are saying about being left alone,

but having stayed in portugal on the same complex as they were ive seen how close the bar is and it is litreally as close as them sitting downstairs and the child asleep upstairs, but i still know it was not right for them to be left alone expessially at that age but i do not blame the parents, but im sure they blame them selves and they will do forever if she is not found

[Sunny_01]

Police are looking at new evidence surrounding the case. Some CCTV footage and telephone calls I believe

Still praying for a safe return of Madeline

[Ruth]

They shouldn't have left her alone, and if they were 'Wayne and Waynetta' types, the press would be all over them, criticising them, but because they are a heart surgeon and a GP (I think? correct me if I'm wrong) and classed as respectable, the press are being very kind to them.

However, having said that - they do not deserve what has happened to them. I cannot begin to imagine how they must be feeling, it must be their worst nightmare come true. And of course, apportioning blame at this time helps nobody, least of all Madeleine.

I hope against hope that this little girl is found safe and sound.

[lily.]

Originally posted by Ruth
They shouldn't have left her alone, and if they were 'Wayne and Waynetta' types, the press would be all over them, criticising them, but because they are a heart surgeon and a GP (I think? correct me if I'm wrong) and classed as respectable, the press are being very kind to them.

My neighbour just said that exact same thing. Although she used the "single mother" example, and said that she would be hung out to dry by the media. I find it quite shocking that the media are going out of their way to try to justify them leaving the children. The reporting is supposed to be unbiased.

Again, like everyone else here, I feel for the family and pray that this turns out well. But, they left the children alone, and I can't just sweep that under the carpet, no matter how respectable/professional/well-off the family might be.

And Ruth: Mr McCann is a cardiologist and Mrs McCann is a GP, so you were correct.

[J.C.]

When I saw the view of the area from above I too was very shocked at how far away this restaurant is. The issue isn't really about checking your children because if it was one could then say they were just checking to see if their children were still there !! and that's not workable at all. As everyone has indicated when it comes to such very young children it only takes a fleeting moment for something to go wrong. What if little Madeline woke up dazed and forgot that M&D were out. She may have just walked out of the front door to look.This excludes a hundred other things that can go wrong. I don`t feel good about saying this because right now there is a far greater issue at hand. Just now on the news they were saying that the parents have gone to the station to go through their statements again. I think the parents do seem genuine enough, I can't imagine they know anything more.

Whilst she is not found there is still hope.

[Sunny_01]

I know where you are coming from J.C it seems harsh that we are discussing them leaving her when the important thing is she is found and safely returned to her parents, however it is natural for us to be scratching our heads in disbelief that the children were left in the first place.

I really do hope and pray that this little girl comes to no harm and is returned to her parents soon, god can only know what is going through her mind right now.

[BigSister]

Apparentely there is a news conference at 6.30 Im just hoping that she is found sfae and well. My mum and dad used to have the same discussion about leaving me alone my dad would but my mum wouldnt and she used toa lways win but i suppose that is not the point i just hope she is found safe

[ben_evans_07]

i know that everyone is praying for her but honestly i dont think she is coming home, it has nearly been a month and know sign of finding her. however i o hope she is found safe