WIREDGOV

Disappearance of Madeleine McCann - web appeal for information

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE News Release issued by The Government News Network on 9 May 2007

This appeal notice is being distributed at the request of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre and the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) at the request of the Portuguese Authorities.

Portuguese Police have extended a web based plea for information following the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

The latest appeal has been issued by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre and the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) at the request of the Portuguese authorities.

The appeal is cited at http://www.ceop.gov.uk and http://www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com. It appears in English, Portuguese and Spanish and urges people to come forward with any information that could help police find the missing youngster.

Both sites receive extensive daily hits from browsers in more than 130 different countries. It is hoped the move will help extend the reach of the appeal to as many people as possible, including holiday goers who may have recently returned from Portugal, or be intending to visit.

Any information should be passed to directly to the Portuguese police on 00 351 282 405 400.

Two forensic behavioural analysts from the CEOP Centre have been assisting with this inquiry. They have been made available to the authorities to ensure they have the full range of expertise available for every possible avenue of investigation.

Note to newsdesks: The CEOP Centre will not be commenting further or conducting interviews in relation to this inquiry.

Note to Editors:
* The CEOP Centre is affiliated to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and powers are derived from the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. It is based in Pimlico, London with developing outreach channels to all areas of both domestic and international policing as well as industry and specialist support and educational faculties.
* For further information on the work of the CEOP Centre please visit: http://www.ceop.gov.uk
* For details on the international work of the CEOP Centre: http://www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com

Press Office, Downing Street (West), London SW1A 2AL