Scotland Yard applies for more cash to continue hunt for missing Madeleine McCann

<em>Search – police have asked for more funding to carry on searching for missing Madeleine McCann (Picture: Reuters)</em>
Search – police have asked for more funding to carry on searching for missing Madeleine McCann (Picture: Reuters)

Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have asked for more funding the continue the hunt for the missing child.

Funding for Operation Grange – Scotland Yard’s investigation into Maddie’s disappearance in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007 – was due to run out at the end of September, raising question marks over whether it would continue.

But the Home Office has confirmed that it is considering an application from Scotland Yard for more cash to continue the search.

In a blog published on Wednesday, it said: “We have received and are considering a request from the Metropolitan Police Service to extend funding for Operation Grange until the end of March 2019.

“The Home Office maintains an ongoing dialogue with the MPS regarding funding for Operation Grange.”

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Madeleine was three when she went missing while on holiday with her parents.

A Portuguese inquiry failed to make any headway, prompting Scotland Yard to launch Operation Grange.

<em>Missing – Madeleine McCann disappeared while on holiday in Praia da Luz with her parents in May 2007 (Picture: PA)</em>
Missing – Madeleine McCann disappeared while on holiday in Praia da Luz with her parents in May 2007 (Picture: PA)

The operation has cost £11.6 million so far and in March detectives were granted an extra £150,000 to continue the probe, covering it until the end of September.

In May, Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry posted a tribute to mark their daughter’s 15th birthday, saying: “We love you and we’re waiting for you and we’re never going to give up.”

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