Met Police (Operation Grange) - Bollocks or not bollocks?

It seems Operation Grange has been self-isolating since March this year. Time to flush them out of the broom cupboard again..

UPDATE: Following Operation Grange Appeal

News • Jun 04, 2020 17:47 BST

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DCI Mark Cranwell, from Operation Grange said :

“Following our appeal for information yesterday, I want to thank those members of the public who have contacted us. As of 16:00hrs today, Thursday 4 June 2020 we have received over 270 calls and emails into the Incident Room.

“We are pleased with the information coming in, and it will be assessed and prioritised.

“We continue to urge anyone with information to come forward and speak with us.”

To re-cap :

Detectives leading enquiries into the 2007 disappearance of Madeleine McCann have made a new public appeal for information.


It is now 13 years since Madeleine was reported missing during a family holiday in Portugal and the team of officers leading the Met’s investigation, known as Operation Grange, made a public appeal on Wednesday, 3 June, linked to a significant new line of enquiry.

Met detectives working with German authorities have identified a man currently imprisoned in Germany as a suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance.

This man is white and in 2007 is believed to have had short blond hair, possibly fair. He was about 6ft in height with a slim build. He is 43-years-old, but in 2007 may have looked between 25 to early 30s.

We have established that he lived on and off in the Algarve between 1995 and 2007. He is connected to the area of Praia da Luz and surrounding regions, and spent some short spells in Germany.

This individual, who we will not identify, is currently in prison in Germany for an unrelated matter.

The Operation Grange team is revealing details of two vehicles which the suspect is known to have had access to and used around the time of Madeleine’s disappearance.

The first vehicle is a distinctive VW T3 Westfalia campervan. It is an early 1980s model, with two tone markings, a white upper body and a yellow skirting. It had a Portuguese registration plate.

The suspect had access to this van from at least April 2007 until sometime after May 2007. It was used in and around the area of Praia da Luz.

We believe he was living in this van for days, possibly weeks, and may have been using it on 3 May 2007.

We are appealing for anyone who may have seen it in or around Praia da Luz on 3 May, the night Madeleine went missing, the days before, or weeks following the disappearance.

The second vehicle is a 1993 British Jaguar, model XJR 6, with a German number plate and registered in Germany.

This car is believed to have been in the Praia da Luz and surrounding areas in 2006 and 2007. The car was originally registered in the suspect’s name. On 4 May 2007, the day after Madeleine’s disappearance, the car was re-registered to someone else in Germany.

To re-register the car in Germany you don’t have to have the car in the country or region. We believe the car was still in Portugal and would like information if you saw it.

The Met is asking if anyone saw these cars together or individually during the spring and summer of 2007. Both of these vehicles are now held by the German authorities.

Detectives are also appealing for information about two mobile phone numbers, one of which is believed to have been used by the suspect on the day of Madeleine’s disappearance.

The first number is +351 912 730 680. Extensive enquiries have led investigators to believe the suspect was using this number and received a call, starting at 7.32pm and finishing at 8.02pm on 3 May 2007. This call was received in the area of Praia da Luz.

The second mobile number is +351 916 510 683. This number is the phone number that made this call. We know the person was not in the area of Praia da Luz.

Investigators believe the person who made this call is a highly significant witness and are appealing for them to get in touch.

The Operation Grange team is also asking anyone if they recognise these numbers. Did you ever call them? Do you have them in your phone, an old phone or your electronic contacts?

At 7.15pm UK time on Wednesday, 3 June, the Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) will also broadcast an appeal on German channel ZDF.

There is a £20,000 Met reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell, who leads Operation Grange, said:

“It’s more than 13 years since Madeleine went missing and none of us can imagine what it must be like for her family, not knowing what happened or where she is.

“Following the ten- year anniversary, the Met received information about a German man who was known to have been in and around Praia da Luz. We have been working with colleagues in Germany and Portugal and this man is a suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance.

“The Met conducted a number of enquiries and in November 2017 engaged with the BKA who agreed to work with the Met.

“Since then a huge amount of work has taken place by both the Met, the BKA and the Polícia Judiciária.

“While this male is a suspect we retain an open mind as to his involvement and this remains a missing person inquiry.

“Our job as detectives is to follow the evidence, maintain an open mind and establish what happened on that day in May 2007.

“Please contact us without delay so we can get answers for Madeleine’s family.”

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said:

“Madeleine’s disappearance has attracted huge international interest. We are appealing for the public to help us establish what happened.

“We are committed to do everything we can to establish what happened and to find Madeleine.”

Speaking in support of yesterday’s appeal, Kate and Gerry McCann said:

“We welcome the appeal yesterday regarding the disappearance of our daughter, Madeleine.

“We would like to thank the police forces involved for their continued efforts in the search for Madeleine.

“All we have ever wanted is to find her, uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice. We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive but whatever the outcome may be, we need to know, as we need to find peace.

“We will be making no further comment regarding the appeal.

“We would like to thank the general public for their ongoing support and encourage anyone who has information directly related to the appeal, to contact the police. Thank you.”

The Operation Grange incident room can be contacted via 0207 321 9251 or [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

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When reckoning the total cost of UK interference in the case of missing Madeleine McCann, Leicestershire Police shouldn't be forgotten - or lumped with the global figure that stagnates at around a cool £11m..

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This latest farce from Germany will almost certainly justify (in government speak) the prolongation of Operation Grange for yet another year.

Thread title .... Re: Met Police (Operation Grange) - Bollocks or not bollocks?

Cressida Dick: Prime minister urged to replace Met Police commissioner

Published1 hour ago

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Dame Cressida Dick became the first woman to lead the Metropolitan Police when she was appointed in 2017

Victims of police injustice are calling for the prime minister to replace Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick when her contract comes up in April.

In an open letter, they accuse her of "presiding over a culture of incompetence and cover-up".

The BBC understands Dame Cressida has been offered a two-year extension to her contract and media reports indicate she will be staying on.

Since her appointment in 2017, she has been involved in several controversies.

Two of those who signed the letter are Baroness Lawrence, whose son Stephen was murdered in a racist attack in 1993, and Lady Brittan, whose home was raided when her husband Lord Brittan was falsely accused of child abuse.

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Others include Alastair Morgan, whose brother Daniel was murdered in 1987 - the killer remains unidentified and a report into the case accused the force of institutional corruption and sparked denials from the Met's leadership - and the son of D-Day army officer Lord Bramall, who was falsely accused in 2014 of child sexual abuse by the paedophile and fantasist Carl Beech.

BBC broadcaster Paul Gambaccini, who was arrested as part of Operation Yewtree and the former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor - another victim of Beech's false allegations - have also signed the letter.

Dame Cressida, who became the first woman to lead London's force since its inception in 1829, is coming to the end of a five-year contract.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has consulted with London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Downing Street over the decision to ask her to stay on for two more years, according to media reports.

Dame Cressida resisted pressure on her to resign in March when the Met came under scrutiny over the handling of a vigil held in memory of Sarah Everard, the marketing executive murdered by former Met Police PC Wayne Couzens.

The force has faced repeated accusations of racial bias in its use of stop-and-search powers and was hit with criticism over the security of Wembley stadium during the final of the Euro 2020 championships.

Since the start of the year, both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the home secretary have publicly backed Dame Cressida.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The appointment of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service is a formal process which will be confirmed in the proper way."

The mayor of London and Met Police have declined to comment.

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“When her Contract comes up for renewal”.

So she’ll go with head held high having not been dismissed or found wanting. Soon to be seen in the Lords probably.

Any news on this bollocks?

Is the taxpayer still forking out for this non-investigation?

We must be due a Tracey 'exclusive' any day now, as the latest accounts are out, which will no doubt mention the renewal of OG funding, which from memory runs till March, although I may be 6 months adrift as they started doing it in 12 month tranches, rather than the previous 6 monthly ones. 

Following a request for new information, DCI Cranwell said in June 2020 that they had received 270 new bits of information, so they have probably sifted through about half of these by now.

When is he due to retire?

Answering my own question. Whenever he likes. 
 
Senior Investigating Officer
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Feb 1990 – Present 32 years
London, United Kingdom
 
If he’s got any sense (clearly not got a conscience or we would have seen some movement) he’ll do a Redwood and Wall and get out while the goings good, before any shit hits the fan and the buck stops at him!
 
I appreciate that this wasn’t his catchphrase, but ‘nick ‘em before they know they’ve been nicked’ my arse!

Lest they forget!

As the curtain is about to come down on Operation Grange, a reminder of their position in the grand scheme of things..

Operation Grange

On 12 May 2011 the Met announced that, at the request of the Home Secretary, it had agreed to bring its particular expertise to the Madeleine McCann case.

The then Commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, considered the request and took the decision that on balance it was the right thing to do. This was subject to funding being made available by the Home Office, as this case is beyond the Met’s jurisdiction.
Investigative review

The Met’s involvement, known as Operation Grange, is led by the Specialist Crime Command unit and involved, in the first instance, an ‘investigative review’. This was a review of all of the investigations that had been previously conducted into the circumstances of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance.
Ongoing investigation

In July 2013 the status of the Met’s enquiries changed to that of an investigation, working with the Portuguese authorities to pursue specific lines of enquiry.

The Portuguese authorities retain the lead and the Met continues to work in support of them.

The Home Office continues to fund Operation Grange.

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I'll go with rollocks - somewhere in Belgravia, the heart of London city..

With so much emphasis placed on Boris Johnson's every move in more recent times, I ponder if he would be willing to put heart and soul into the case of a missing three year old child, almost certainly no long of this world.

Could he/would he put pressure on respective authorities to expose this travesty of justice, or could he/would he shy away likes he so frequently does when his reputation and position are at stake?

Perhaps we should put him to the test ....

And the pillow talk with his influential Greenie wife

Scotland Yard’s Madeleine McCann investigation has been extended for another year

EXCLUSIVE

Josh Layton - Wednesday 6 Jul 2022 11:46 am

The British investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is being continued for another year by the Metropolitan Police.

Reports had suggested that Operation Grange would be wound down this autumn with the end of its funding as the circumstances of the three-year-old’s disappearance 15 years ago remain unsolved.

Scotland Yard has been assisting the Portuguese authorities investigating how she vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz.

The British detectives were set to wind down their 11-year involvement in the case, according to reports in March 2022.

However, Scotland Yard has now confirmed in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOI) request that the case has received funding to continue until March 2023.

It is likely to be a faint glimmer of hope for her parents, Kate and Gerry, after apparent links between the latest suspect in the case and the disappearance were debunked.

Christian Brueckner, who is currently in a German prison for a number of sex and drug offences, was named by prosecutors in the country as a chief suspect in June 2020.

However investigative journalist Mark Williams-Thomas found that there was no solid evidence linking the 45-year-old to the disappearance as he researched a documentary which was broadcast in May this year. Brueckner denies any involvement.

t had previously been reported that Scotland Yard would not continue its involvement in the case beyond this year.

A source told the Sun: ‘The end of the road for Operation Grange is now in sight. The team’s work is expected to be completed by autumn.’

Scotland Yard refused to say at the time when its involvement would end.

The force had been given a grant of £349,328 from the Home Office to fund its role in the 2021 to 2022 financial year. The total amount allocated to the UK end of the investigation is thought to be around £13 million.

A subsequent request for the current 12 months has now been granted, according to the reply provided by the Met Police.

The response stated: ‘I have contacted the Operation Grange Team and in response to your question regarding Operation Grange being closed, they have advised that an application for further funding was submitted and authorised by the Home Office earlier this year.

‘This funding runs until March 2023. Regular reviews between the MPS and the Home Office continue to take place throughout the year. Operation Grange remains open at this present time.’

The Met provided the information as it refused to answer an FOI request for information about Operation Grange on a number of grounds. One of the reasons stated was that disclosure would harm an ‘ongoing investigation’ and its relationship with other police forces and Madeleine’s family.

Kate and Gerry, from Rothley, Leicestershire, have never given up hope that their daughter is alive. On May 3 this year, they marked the 15th anniversary of her disappearance with a candlelit vigil.

In a message on Facebook, they said: ‘Many people talk about the need for ‘closure’. It’s always felt a strange term. Regardless of outcome, Madeleine will always be our daughter and a truly horrific crime has been committed.

‘These things will remain. It is true though that uncertainty creates weakness; knowledge and certainty give strength, and for this reason our need for answers, for the truth, is essential.

‘We are grateful for the ongoing work and commitment of the UK, Portuguese and German authorities as it is this combined police effort which will yield results and bring us those answers.’

The Met announced in May 2011 that, at the request of the Home Secretary, it had agreed to bring its expertise to the unsolved case.

The team is led by Det Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell and is reported to have been reduced from 40 officers to four as of this year.

The Met Police confirmed today that the case ‘is ongoing’.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: ‘Funding for Operation Grange is approved on an annual basis. Any requests for funding will be considered as usual in line with our Special Grant process.’

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What a jolly hoot all this is.

They make me want to vomit.

Milo wrote:They make me want to vomit.

Hasten Jason fetch the basin ....

You could have a point but in my view if the UK authorities have good reason, whatever that might be, they will never give a direct honest answer to questions that could jeopardize their assumed integrity.

They will bluff around the salient points, reveal as much as they can without actually laying bare.

Dishonest the lot of them.  They are a breed, a species like no other in human form.  The odd one here and there, for they do exist, that break the code are cast asunder - or they are too controversial and decent and self respecting to risk personal damnation.

Scotland Yard’s Madeleine McCann investigation has been extended for another year

Sir Mark Rowley is the new Commissioner of the Met Police.

Yup....this Mark Rowley  

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Let's rubber stamp that..

News - 8 July 2022 14:17

Sir Mark Rowley appointed as new Metropolitan Police Commissioner

The Home Secretary Priti Patel has today (8th July 2022) announced the appointment of Sir Mark Rowley as the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service.

Sir Mark was formally appointed by Her Majesty the Queen following a recommendation from the Home Secretary, after a highly competitive recruitment process. Representations from the Mayor of London were considered by the Home Secretary as part of this recommendation.

At a time when the Government is investing record sums into policing, including supporting the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers across England and Wales, the new Commissioner will need to focus on getting the basics right, restoring confidence in policing, delivering on the Beating Crime Plan and making our capital’s streets safer.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

“Sir Mark Rowley is a distinguished and exceptionally experienced police officer, having served the people of the West Midlands and Surrey before guiding the capital through some of its most challenging moments in the wake of the 2017 terror attacks, as the Met’s then head of counter-terrorism.

“He now takes on one of the most important and demanding jobs in policing, leading the country’s largest force at a time when public trust in the Metropolitan Police has been severely undermined by a number of significant failings. Rebuilding public trust and delivering on crime reduction must be his priority.

“This will be a challenging period, but with a focus on tackling neighbourhood crime and delivering the basics of policing, Sir Mark is committed to tackling the significant challenges confronting the force and to making London’s streets safer by driving down crime and bringing more criminals to justice.

“As the largest police force in the country, we have supported the Met to recruit 2,599 extra police officers and increased their annual policing budget to £3.24 billion in 2022-23. I look forward to working closely with Sir Mark to ensure this investment drives essential change to ensure the force delivers for the people of London.”

Responding to his appointment, Sir Mark Rowley said:

“I feel deeply honoured to be appointed to be the next Metropolitan Police Commissioner. Our mission is to lead the renewal of policing by consent which has been so heavily dented in recent years as trust and confidence have fallen.

“I am grateful that the Home Secretary and Mayor are both determined to support the urgent reforms we need to deliver successful community crimefighting in today’s fast moving world. These reforms include our use of technology and data, our culture and our policing approach. We will fight crime with communities – not unilaterally dispense tactics.

“I also know that the majority of officers and staff retain an extraordinary sense of vocation and determination and want us to do better. It is my job to help them do that, whilst also being ruthless in removing those who are corrupting our integrity.

“We will deliver more trust, less crime and high standards for London and beyond and we will work with London’s diverse communities as we together renew the uniquely British invention of ‘policing by consent’.”

The date of Sir Mark’s first day in the role will be confirmed in due course.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said:

“The Home Secretary and I have agreed that Sir Mark Rowley is the best person to lead the Metropolitan Police as the new Commissioner at this extremely challenging time.

“A series of appalling scandals have not only exposed deep cultural problems within the Met, but have contributed to a crisis of confidence in London’s police service. Sir Mark has made clear to me that he is determined to be a reforming Commissioner, committed to implementing a robust plan to rebuild trust and confidence in the police and to drive through the urgent reforms and step change in culture and performance Londoners deserve. As Mayor, I will support and hold him to these promises as I continue to hold the Met to account.

“Sir Mark has demonstrated to me that he is the outstanding candidate for this role. He brings a wealth of great experience to the position, including exceptional leadership during the 2017 terror attacks and a genuine commitment to increasing engagement with diverse communities across our city. The experience he has gained outside policing over the last four years will also bring a valuable new perspective to the Met. Above all, he is committed to policing by consent and shares my ambition to get to a place where all Londoners feel protected and served, and where we have a police force that everyone – including the many brave and dedicated officers in our city – can be proud of.

“I look forward to supporting Sir Mark Rowley and working closely with the Home Secretary as we work to restore trust and confidence in the police, ensure that the Met gets the basics of policing right, and build on the significant success we have made in driving down violence and crime in our city.”

Acting Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service Sir Stephen House added:

“I would like to congratulate Sir Mark Rowley QPM on his appointment as Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

“Anyone who knows Sir Mark will be aware that he brings extensive policing experience from both inside and outside London, which I have no doubt will benefit London and Londoners.”

Biography of Sir Mark Rowley

Sir Mark Peter Rowley QPM was Chief Constable of Surrey Police for four years (2008-2011) before joining the Metropolitan Police Service in 2011. Sir Mark was a former Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Crime and Operations of the Metropolitan Police Service (2011- 2014), and then National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Counter-Terrorism (2014- 2018). He was knighted in 2018 for his exceptional contribution to national security and national leadership at a time of unprecedented threat.

Sir Mark Rowley’s career in policing spans over 30 years, during which time he has transformed national security and policing. As Chief Constable, he lifted the public confidence levels in Surrey to the highest in the country. After joining the Metropolitan Police Service, Sir Mark transformed the approach to UK counter-terrorism and policing gangs, increasing community engagement and workforce diversity, leading the police response to the London terror attacks of 2017 and reducing shootings and murders in London to an all-time low. He also led reform in policing of public order, organised crime and fraud, launching the 200 strong Op Falcon team to combat the growth of online fraud and cybercrime.

Since leaving policing in 2018 he has worked in specialist security projects and on technology/data led transformation with ‘start-ups’ and the world’s largest professional services company. He has focused on: countering extremism and racism, online safety, institutional integrity and illicit finance.

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