Madeleine McCann: Scotland Yard cuts number of detectives working on the case

Madeleine McCann: Scotland Yard cuts number of detectives working on the case

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 Nov 05, 2014 22:29  
By Tom Pettifor,  Gerard Couzins
 

The force has withdrawn six officers from the Algarve, suggesting that British police have begun scaling back the search after spending £7.3million



Missing: Madeleine disappeared seven-and-a-half years ago
 


 

Scotland Yard has scaled back the number of detectives working on the hunt for Madeleine McCann.

The force has removed six officers despite enquiries in Portugal intensifying - with the team making an average of over a flight a week to the Algarve so far this year.

Two detective sergeants and four detective constables have been lost over the past year, new police figures reveal. It reduces the total number of detectives working on the case from 29 to 23.

At the same time six civilian staff have been brought in, meaning the overall number of British staff and police working on the case, codenamed Operation Grange, remains at 37.

Scotland Yard insists “staff numbers are open to change depending on the needs of the review”.

But the reduction could be seen as a sign that British police have begun scaling back the search after spending three and a half years and £7.3million examining the case.

The new figures were revealed after it was claimed the team are preparing to question a number of new suspects.

Newly installed Portuguese prosecutor Ines Sequeira paved the way for detectives to visit the Algarve by approving a fifth international letter of request last week.


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Madeleine McCann police begin to search a patch of scrubland just outside of the small town as the search for clues enters a second week
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It was first thought the 10 people named in the request would be questioned as witnesses only.

But Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha reported yesterday that some would be heard as “arguidos” or suspects because the Operation Grange detectives suspect they may have been involved in Madeleine’s disappearance.

They are said to include ex-workers at the Ocean Club holiday complex where the youngster vanished on May 3 2007 as well as locals living in the resort of Praia da Luz.

And the new list drawn up by British detectives as part of their painstaking investigation is thought to include British as well as Portuguese nationals.

None of the people on the list - who are due to receive police summons in the next few days to attend interviews at Faro’s PJ police station - have been questioned before by British officers, it is claimed.

Correio da Manha reported: “The majority are going to be heard as witnesses, but some will be made arguidos before the questioning takes place.

“They are all going to be questioned formally for the first time since the public prosecutor gave the green light for the quizzes to take place.”



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Crime scene: The room from which Madeleine McCann was snatched in Praia de Luz


It added: “There are around 10 people on the list, British and Portuguese nationals.

“Among the new Scotland Yard suspects are ex-Ocean Club workers and Praia da Luz residents.

“They’re people the British investigators suspect were involved in Madeleine’s disappearance.”

The interviews, the first since four suspects and 11 witnesses were questioned at the start of July, are due to take place before the end of the month.

British police are now in the process of formally asking for permission to sit in on the interviews, which will be led by Portuguese officers who will ask questions on their behalf.

The Operation Grange team last visited Portugal three weeks ago.

A small team including DCI Andy Redwood, who is heading Operation Grange, met Policia Judiciaria bosses in Faro for an update meeting before travelling to the university city of Coimbra a five hour drive north to visit a lab where many of the DNA samples collected after Madeleine’s disappearance are held.

Madeleine was three when she vanished from the family’s holiday apartment.

“There are around 10 people on the list, British and Portuguese nationals...Among the new Scotland Yard suspects are ex-Ocean Club workers and Praia da Luz residents...They’re people the British investigators suspect were involved in Madeleine’s disappearance.”

10 people...

...ex-Ocean Club workers...

...Praia da Luz residents...

...British and Portugese nationals...

...suspected of involvement in Madeleine's disappearance...


That's an awful lot of people local to Praia da Luz being marched down to the local police station for formal audio- or video-recorded police interviews under caution.

The village must be abuzz with locals and ex-pats discussing the names of those being quizzed.   

I do hope it's not all for show

I am not sure what to make of all of this

10 suspects - to be made arguidos?  Is that something that the Portuguese have done to protect these people? Giving them the right to remain silent?

Ocean club workers - Nannies? Or cleaners turned burglars?

British and Portuguese people - Expats? Regular visitors to PDL?  We know plenty of them

Or is there another list of witnesses that the McCanns want interviewed?

I am trying to find something to say and all I can think of is I am amazed. Truly amazed at what I am reading.   What's it all about?

plebgate wrote:I am trying to find something to say and all I can think of is I am amazed. Truly amazed at what I am reading.   What's it all about?

I'll take a guess and say that Operation Grange is slowly winding down. Probably defeated by the truth and the fact that its already well and truly in the public domain.

Correio da Manha reported: “The majority are going to be heard as witnesses, but some will be made arguidos before the questioning takes place.

“They are all going to be questioned formally for the first time since the public prosecutor gave the green light for the quizzes to take place"

As in, it may not be the first time people have been questioned, just the first time since the new prosecutor has been in her post.....

Or is that wishful thinking on my part?

Among the new Scotland Yard suspects are ex-Ocean Club workers and Praia da Luz residents...They’re people the British investigators suspect were involved in Madeleine’s disappearance.

Which rules out the T9, if this article is to be believed, which it can't be. I don't believe a word of an article which states "Crime scene: The room from which Madeleine McCann was snatched in Praia de Luz

sharonl wrote:

plebgate wrote:I am trying to find something to say and all I can think of is I am amazed. Truly amazed at what I am reading.   What's it all about?

I'll take a guess and say that Operation Grange is slowly winding down. Probably defeated by the truth and the fact that its already well and truly in the public domain.

Mr. Redwood will be retiring at the end of this year, will it be wound up by Christmas I wonder?

sharonl

I'll take a guess and say that Operation Grange is slowly winding down. Probably defeated by the truth and the fact that its already well and truly in the public domain.

Possibly, but how can 30+ detectives be silenced.............for ever?

maebee wrote:

sharonl

I'll take a guess and say that Operation Grange is slowly winding down. Probably defeated by the truth and the fact that its already well and truly in the public domain.

Possibly, but how can 30+ detectives be silenced.............for ever?

Official secrets act?

All that tax payers` money gone up the spout - they would have got a better result if they`d just offered £7,000,000 reward at the beginning. Someone would have dobbed them in.

Two detective sergeants and four detective constables have been lost over the past year ....


.... the overall number of British staff and police working on the case, codenamed Operation Grange, remains at 37

But the reduction could be seen as a sign that British police have begun scaling back ....

So over the course of 12 months the number of staff has stayed the same but the mix between officers and civilian staff has changed - not sure that's really headline news.

However at least the only words used are "disappearance" and "vanished".

plebgate wrote:

maebee wrote:

sharonl

I'll take a guess and say that Operation Grange is slowly winding down. Probably defeated by the truth and the fact that its already well and truly in the public domain.

Possibly, but how can 30+ detectives be silenced.............for ever?

Official secrets act?

No guarantee that they will all adhere to it.

Many haven't: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

It's either one or the other innit.

Checkmate or Sorry folks we've spent £10m on a pot of white paint.

maebee wrote:

plebgate wrote:

maebee wrote:

sharonl

I'll take a guess and say that Operation Grange is slowly winding down. Probably defeated by the truth and the fact that its already well and truly in the public domain.

Possibly, but how can 30+ detectives be silenced.............for ever?

Official secrets act?

No guarantee that they will all adhere to it.

Many haven't: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Yes maebee from that link it could well be possible, especially if there was a lot of money to be made from a book?

sharonl wrote:I am not sure what to make of all of this

10 cleaners turned burglars?

or, OR  10 burglators turned cleaners!

G5A was pretty damn 'clean' after the burglators 'took' Madeleine during their 'bungled' burglary, wasn't it?

Even down to the tiles, BEHIND the sofa, having been 'bleached' clean!

And Madeleine's bed, made up neat and tidy!

Perhaps i should leave my house 'open' for the burglators, after all, they won't nick nuffing 'valuable', will they?

It could do with a good 'clean'!

I get your point pleb. I just think that it's impossible to silence 30+ "intelligent" people who are covering up a known injustice. It will only take one of them to see the light at some point in the future and spill the beans. Add in "pillow talk" alcohol etc. Maybe not this year or even in the next ten years if a WW happens, but the truth will definitely come out at some stage in the future, from one or more of those detectives who worked on this case. I just wish that one or more of them had the guts to defy the system and stand up now - for Madeleine.

maebee wrote:I get your point pleb. I just think that it's impossible to silence 30+ "intelligent" people who are covering up a known injustice. It will only take one of them to see the light at some point in the future and spill the beans. Add in "pillow talk" alcohol etc. Maybe not this year or even in the next ten years if a WW happens, but the truth will definitely come out at some stage in the future, from one or more of those detectives who worked on this case. I just wish that one or more of them had the guts to defy the system and stand up now - for Madeleine.

You never know maebee it is possible that at stage someone  could  emigrate and write a book?

AFAIK most of the officers are due to retire.   I wonder if they would lose their pensions if they spoke out about the case they had been working on?

If it isn't wrapped up by Christmas, I wonder who will take over from Mr. Redwood and how much longer before it is wrapped up?

If it isn't wrapped up by Christmas, I wonder who will take over from Mr. Redwood and how much longer before it is wrapped up?
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DCI Mahogany will be replaced by DCI Whitewash!

"evening all, anyone seen me bucket?"

Well, at least those police can now come back to some duties that might actually help the public instead of playing a part in some PR campaign that they knew would be pointless. What's the matter? Is the Algarve getting that bit colder now, and the 'boys in blue' really starting to turn blue? Cold cervaja doesn't quite taste as nice in cold weather does it? Much better to head home to the fruity special Christmas ales on offer as we approach the 25th. Hang on, what was this investigation about? Oh yeah, missing child. What was his name?


In my opinion.

sharonl wrote:I am not sure what to make of all of this

10 suspects - to be made arguidos?  Is that something that the Portuguese have done to protect these people? Giving them the right to remain silent?

Ocean club workers - Nannies? Or cleaners turned burglars?

British and Portuguese people - Expats? Regular visitors to PDL?  We know plenty of them

Or is there another list of witnesses that the McCanns want interviewed?

We are over 3 years into their investigation.  They have no suspects and have dug up an old sock.  I suspect they simply don't know how to close this down. The Summers book has been a total disaster but I think it was part of the exit strategy.   So now what is left?  Start drawing down the troops in stages - check.  Retire the lead cop - check.  Start up a more important high-profile UK investigation - check.   Spread plenty of confusion in the media about 'suspects', forensics, plots - all making it clear that you 'know' it was an abduction / botched burglary / paedo attack - check.  

If you make the assumption that Redwood knows this is unsolvable in its current format, then the rest is just face-saving.  This media-planted "anyone but the McCanns" ending is a weak ending for £10m, but it's the only one he has.

sharonl wrote:I am not sure what to make of all of this

10 suspects - to be made arguidos?  Is that something that the Portuguese have done to protect these people? Giving them the right to remain silent?

Ocean club workers - Nannies? Or cleaners turned burglars?

British and Portuguese people - Expats? Regular visitors to PDL?  We know plenty of them

Or is there another list of witnesses that the McCanns want interviewed?

I think  quote  "Or is there another list of witnesses that the McCanns want interviewed?"  could be the answer as the mccanns have always wanted to know if someone saw or heard something which would bring them down... a cleaner or other worker, perhaps.

I don't think the British authorities will ever see the McC's as having had anything to do with Madeleine's disappearance the way this scenario has played out so far, for years now. It will always be SODDI, IMO, even if they have to quiz multiple people they deem as "suspects" or POI's from wherever on the planet.
If there is any justice to be had for Madeleine i believe it will have to come from the Portugese authorities, and i don't know how likely that will be? If Mr. Amaral would have been kept on the case as lead investigator i think maybe the McC's would have been charged already, if the U.K. hadn't of run interference in the case that is.
This whole fiasco has always played out in the McC's favor, and will probably continue to do so, and i would be very surprised if it doesn't. Justice for little Madeleine seems very very far away.

What I want to know is WHO ARE THE SIX CIVILIANS  being drafted onto Operation Grange? Overall numbers of the team to remain the same.

But WHO ARE THEY? And what is their "expertise"?

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Edited to add link to article stating Civilians joining the team

Smokeandmirrors wrote:What I want to know is WHO ARE THE SIX CIVILIANS  being drafted onto Operation Grange? Overall numbers of the team to remain the same.

But WHO ARE THEY? And what is their "expertise"?

Exactly what I was thinking.  Civilians could include specialists such scientists, analysists and forensics.

Ladyinred wrote:

Smokeandmirrors wrote:What I want to know is WHO ARE THE SIX CIVILIANS  being drafted onto Operation Grange? Overall numbers of the team to remain the same.

But WHO ARE THEY? And what is their "expertise"?

Exactly what I was thinking.  Civilians could include specialists such scientists, analysists and forensics.

Or photo analysts, behavioural psychologists, experts in analysing phone data - who knows, but hope they are gutsy enough to look at ALL the evidence

sharonl wrote:I am not sure what to make of all of this

10 suspects - to be made arguidos?  Is that something that the Portuguese have done to protect these people? Giving them the right to remain silent?

Ocean club workers - Nannies? Or cleaners turned burglars?

British and Portuguese people - Expats? Regular visitors to PDL?  We know plenty of them

Or is there another list of witnesses that the McCanns want interviewed?

It is indeed bit odd to have so many suspects or witnesses (depending which papers/authority termed it) still to be interviewed at this late stage.

The people of interest seem to be increasing instead of reducing and most peculiarly seem to consist of different variety of people. The previous batch is not same as this batch. They seem to have endless different batch of people to interview. At this late stage one expects the process to be one of elimination to narrow do it down to a particular person or two. Instead we are told they are widening the net and not closing in the net. Unless they are tying up loose ends. That said, it seems rather late and a rather number involved to be tying up loose ends.

Smokeandmirrors wrote:What I want to know is WHO ARE THE SIX CIVILIANS  being drafted onto Operation Grange? Overall numbers of the team to remain the same.

But WHO ARE THEY? And what is their "expertise"?

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Edited to add link to article stating Civilians joining the team

Can only suppose these 6 are somehow associated to the Police Force. Either that, or civilians with certain expertise areas, such as forensics analysis experts would come under the category of civilians I would imagine. It may mean police investigative work is downsized but forensics work is upsized.

aiyoyo wrote:

Smokeandmirrors wrote:What I want to know is WHO ARE THE SIX CIVILIANS  being drafted onto Operation Grange? Overall numbers of the team to remain the same.

But WHO ARE THEY? And what is their "expertise"?

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Edited to add link to article stating Civilians joining the team

Can only suppose these 6 are somehow associated to the Police Force. Either that, or civilians with certain expertise areas, such as forensics analysis experts would come under the category of civilians I would imagine.  It may mean police investigative work is downsized but forensics work is upsized.

I seriously hope Jim Gamble, M W-T or any of that lot are NOT amongst the number

Smokeandmirrors wrote:

aiyoyo wrote:

Smokeandmirrors wrote:What I want to know is WHO ARE THE SIX CIVILIANS  being drafted onto Operation Grange? Overall numbers of the team to remain the same.

But WHO ARE THEY? And what is their "expertise"?

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Edited to add link to article stating Civilians joining the team

Can only suppose these 6 are somehow associated to the Police Force. Either that, or civilians with certain expertise areas, such as forensics analysis experts would come under the category of civilians I would imagine.  It may mean police investigative work is downsized but forensics work is upsized.

I seriously hope Jim Gamble, M W-T or any of that lot are NOT amongst the number

No way! JG can't be categorised as civilian. Besides that big mouth would have tweeted if he was invited to join the team.

No way in a million years (IMO) would police include a self portrayed half baked M W hyphenated T(wat) to join the team.