Police in Madeleine McCann case to begin digging wasteland area in Praia da Luz

Authorities handling the case taped off a large patch of scrubland in Praia da Luz where they are expected to start digging.

12:35 02 June 2014

In the latest development in the Madeline McCann case, it has been confirmed that police handling the case will start digging a large patch of scrubland in Praia da Luz, which is one of several areas in the resort where the McCanns stayed when their daughter infamously went missing. The now vacant building was an open wasteland at the time Madeleine vanished. 

 

Police also identified other areas for searching including one that is near the resort’s church and a beach where there were roadworks at the time of the incident. 

 

A special investigation team consists of Scotland Yard officers who are now handling the case. The team was set up the Prime Minister, David Cameron, after the Portuguese police investigation’s failed to reach a conclusion. 

 

Commissioner Mark Rowley from Scotland Yard said: "In the forthcoming weeks we are going to be going to a substantial phase of operational activity on the ground in Portugal. 

 

"It's something that you would expect in any major inquiry. 

 

"A thorough serious crime investigation works systematically through all the credible possibilities, and often in an investigation you will have more than one credible possibility. 

 

"Therefore, just because we're doing a substantial phase of work in the forthcoming week doesn't mean that it's going to immediately lead to answers that will explain everything."