Daily Record
Oct 11 2007
KATE and Gerry McCann were last night said to be "encouraged" after the search for their missing daughter Madeleine gained new impetus.
They have renewed hope after Portugal's second most senior detective took charge of the case - just as a major paedophile ring was busted in the country.
Paulo Rebelo, 45, has vowed to implement a "root and branch" review of the floundering five-month probe into four-year-old Madeleine's disappearance.
And as Rebelo took over, 80 suspected paedophiles were arrested. Some 150 computers containing child porn were also seized at 75 homes in Portugal.
Now Operation Predator officers have been told to scan the vile footage for Madeleine - as police re-examine the theory she was snatched by perverts.
The McCanns' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said: "We are encouraged by news of such police activity and would hope any evidence that proves relevant to the search for Madeleine will be swiftly acted upon."
A friend of the family said the arrests showed the "scale of the problem" in Portugal.
She added: "The police appear to be looking in the right direction.
It may provide vital leads."
Rebelo is expected to liaise with the Predator team after being officially handed the reins.
His predecessor, Goncalo Amaral, was removed after he criticised British police.
Rebelo's appointment is clearly boosting the probe and his team have already returned to the holiday flat in Praia da Luz where Madeleine went missing from in May.
Oct 11 2007
KATE and Gerry McCann were last night said to be "encouraged" after the search for their missing daughter Madeleine gained new impetus.
They have renewed hope after Portugal's second most senior detective took charge of the case - just as a major paedophile ring was busted in the country.
Paulo Rebelo, 45, has vowed to implement a "root and branch" review of the floundering five-month probe into four-year-old Madeleine's disappearance.
And as Rebelo took over, 80 suspected paedophiles were arrested. Some 150 computers containing child porn were also seized at 75 homes in Portugal.
Now Operation Predator officers have been told to scan the vile footage for Madeleine - as police re-examine the theory she was snatched by perverts.
The McCanns' spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said: "We are encouraged by news of such police activity and would hope any evidence that proves relevant to the search for Madeleine will be swiftly acted upon."
A friend of the family said the arrests showed the "scale of the problem" in Portugal.
She added: "The police appear to be looking in the right direction.
It may provide vital leads."
Rebelo is expected to liaise with the Predator team after being officially handed the reins.
His predecessor, Goncalo Amaral, was removed after he criticised British police.
Rebelo's appointment is clearly boosting the probe and his team have already returned to the holiday flat in Praia da Luz where Madeleine went missing from in May.
