COLD CASE TEAM IN MADELEINE MCCANN HUNT

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/232610/Cold-case-team-in-Madeleine-McCann-hunt/


COLD CASE TEAM IN MADELEINE MCCANN HUNT

A Major ­Investigation Team is assigned to Operation Grange. Staff ­numbers are open to change ­depending on the needs of the ­review
A spokesman for the Met
29th January 2012By Jonathan Corke
THE British police hunt for Madeleine McCann will cost more than £1.3million in its first year.

Scotland Yard’s 37-strong team includes three detective inspectors and five detective sergeants.

There are also 19 detective ­constables on the case under the lead of Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood.

And three of the country’s top cold case officers have been brought in.

The three, from the ­Metropolitan Police’s Murder Review Group, are assisting the main Operation Grange team ­reviewing the Madeleine case files.

The combined salaries of the team total more than £1.3million with thousands also being spent ­following up leads, including at least four trips abroad.

The Met has vowed there will be no limits to the probe, which is being funded through a grant from the Home Office.

Already this year the cold case squad has seen Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, brought to justice over the 1993 murder of black teenager Stephen ­Lawrence.

Detective Chief ­Superintendent Hamish Campbell, who led the Jill Dando ­murder inquiry, is also involved.

The Met refused to say if he was one of the three taking part in the Madeleine case but, we can reveal, he is helping oversee the probe.

Along with Commander Simon Foy, Mr Redwood and Detective Inspector Tim Dobson, Mr ­Campbell is part of a “Gold Group” monitoring the review.The group has met eight times since it began last May to discuss progress.

A spokesman for the Met said: “A Major ­Investigation Team is assigned to Operation Grange. Staff ­numbers are open to change ­depending on the needs of the ­review.”

Three-year-old Madeleine was on holiday with her parents Kate and Gerry, both 43, when she was snatched from their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, ­Portugal, in May 2007.

At Christmas the McCanns said they remain hopeful of a breakthrough, adding: “Our search for Madeleine and the Metropolitan Police review of the case are ­progressing well.”

Around £2.5million raised through a fund set up by the ­McCanns, from Rothley, Leics, has been spent on the hunt for the youngster.

Thanks, Max - fingers crossed they are able to pick up a lead to Madeleine, even after all this time.