Madeleine was three years old when she disappeared from her family’s apartment in a popular holiday resort, in Praia da Luz, in May 2007.
It’s now believed they are looking to speak with three male burglars, who’ve been identified as prime suspects in Madeleine’s case.
According to a source, analysis of mobile phone data has suggested the three men were close to the apartment in Praia da Luz, where Madeleine vanished, and that, in the hours following her abduction, the men made an unusually high number of calls to one another.
The four officers, from Scotland Yard, met with the detectives yesterday and are hoping this lead will encourage the Portuguese authorities to carry out the inquiries they’ve identified.
The development appears promising and shines new light on claims last year that, just over a fortnight before Madeleine disappeared, there was one burglary and one attempted burglary in the block where the family stayed.
Closer have contacted the McCann’s representative and will keep you updated as this story develops.