MADELEINE McCANN UPDATE 4

'New leads' in Madeleine search
MAY 10, 2007


MADELEINE MCCANN

Police hunting for three-year-old Madeleine McCann are studying fresh leads, Crimestoppers has said.

Some 35 tip-offs from callers in Portugal and the UK to a hotline have been passed on to Leicester police, who lead the UK side of the inquiry.

Portuguese police have been criticised for not keeping the public informed but the law stops them disclosing details.

Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, a week ago.

A spokeswoman for Crimestoppers said she could not say whether any of the tip-offs were significant leads, but added that they were all "useful pieces of information".

There have also been reports in Portugal that police are looking for two men and a woman.

Local media reported that the three were photographed at a petrol station driving a car with a British number plate on the night of the little girl's disappearance.

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MADELEINE'S PARENTS 'STAY POSITIVE'

The parents of Madeleine McCann say they still hope for her safe return, six days after she went missing from a Portugal holiday complex.

In a statement, Kate and Gerry McCann said they were focusing their efforts and emotions on finding her.

Other family members have spoken out against criticism of the police made in the Portuguese and British media.

Three-year-old Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz six days ago.

The parents' statement, read out by Alex Woolfall, spokesman for the operator of the resort where the family were staying, said: "We are grateful to all of those currently taking part in the search for our daughter Madeleine.

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