Scotland Yard about to commence digs in and around Praia da Luz.

[jassi]

It's not a 'dig'. It's entirely possible that no digging takes place at all.

I wouldn't bank on it .

They aren't going to take all their toys out there and then  not play with them.

[Mr Gray]

Indeed it may not, but it will be interesting to see what emerges.

very interesting

[Carana]

I can't see the Portuguese Court agreeing to SY's wishes without there being strong supportive evidence to justify such a dig.

A dig occurred in the vicinity of where Ben disappeared. Was there any specific evidence in that case, or was it a ground-clearing exercise that should, in theory, have taken place at the beginning?

[jassi]

A dig occurred in the vicinity of where Ben disappeared. Was there any specific evidence in that case, or was it a ground-clearing exercise that should, in theory, have taken place at the beginning?

Different country, different legal rules. There must have been something to persuade the Greek authorities to dig.

[Carana]

Different country, different legal rules. There must have been something to persuade the Greek authorities to dig.

Why wouldn't they have done so when he hadn't been found alive shortly after he disappeared? A lack of means, experience?

 18 Oct 2012
South Yorkshire Police confirmed that it is leading a team of specialist search advisers, including a forensic archaeologist and sniffer dogs, who have travelled to Kos to look for Ben.

The force said in a statement: "Greek police are pursuing a line of enquiry centred on the grounds of the property from which Ben disappeared in 1991 aged 21 months.

"Beginning tomorrow work will begin to examine the ground, including using geophysical ground examination equipment, to determine whether any area should be dug."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greece/9616676/Ben-Needham-Police-to-dig-up-mound-for-body-of-missing-toddler.html

[Victoria]

Why wouldn't they have done so when he hadn't been found alive shortly after he disappeared? A lack of means, experience?

 18 Oct 2012
South Yorkshire Police confirmed that it is leading a team of specialist search advisers, including a forensic archaeologist and sniffer dogs, who have travelled to Kos to look for Ben.

The force said in a statement: "Greek police are pursuing a line of enquiry centred on the grounds of the property from which Ben disappeared in 1991 aged 21 months.

"Beginning tomorrow work will begin to examine the ground, including using geophysical ground examination equipment, to determine whether any area should be dug."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greece/9616676/Ben-Needham-Police-to-dig-up-mound-for-body-of-missing-toddler.html

So, basically, exactly the same action that was taken by a UK police force in the Needham case is now being undertaken by a UK police for ice in this case. Puts it into perspective a bit.

[jassi]

So, basically, exactly the same action that was taken by a UK police force in the Needham case is now being undertaken by a UK police for ice in this case. Puts it into perspective a bit.

Does it?

Do you have problem with the 'Big Dig' ?

[Victoria]

Does it?

Do you have problem with the 'Big Dig' ?

I don't have a problem with the Met conducting a thorough examination of PDL. Far from it, this work should have been undertaken seven years ago.

Unfortunately, whilst I hold out hope of a happy ending to this story, I think it's most likely that not only is she dead, but that she died the night she disappeared and her remains are either in PDL or within a few miles. I hope I am wrong, but if I am right then I sincerely hope her remains are found so that her poor parents can finally get the closure they desperately need.

[Carana]

Does it?

Do you have problem with the 'Big Dig' ?

I don't.

Unless there is specific intelligence, it would seem to be a perfectly normal ground-clearing exercise that should have happened 7 years ago, shouldn't it?

Harrison and Grime followed the PJ lead, on a short exercise, which was anything related to the T9 and Murat. Whether that old ground will be covered again, plus other possibilities is anyone's guess.

Madeleine deserves to be found, whatever has happened to her. As do all missing people.

With 18 incidents of varying severity, sweeping all this under the carpet won't help the Algarve tourism industry in the long term.

[John]

Has anyone identified this waste ground yet adjacent to Rua 25 de Abril because the only such area is quite a bit west of the town centre and in the opposite direction to where Smithman was headed?

[Mr Gray]

Has anyone identified this waste ground yet adjacent to Rua 25 de Abril because the only such area is quite a bit west of the town centre and in the opposite direction to where Smithman was headed?

This sis something I have already suggested...the dig rules out smithman

[Eleanor]

I can't see the Portuguese Court agreeing to SY's wishes without there being strong supportive evidence to justify such a dig.

Yer.  A Sexual Predator.  And The Portuguese Judiciary know all about that.

[jassi]

Yer. A Sexual Predator.  And The Portuguese Judiciary know all about that.

Maybe, but quite possibly something else.  We might learn what, in time.

[Eleanor]

If The Portuguese Judiciary know all about the Sexual Predator, which they must do, then it isn't rocket science to think that he might have been involved.

[jassi]

If The Portuguese Judiciary know all about the Sexual Predator, which they must do, then it isn't rocket science to think that he might have been involved.

But, equally, might not.  I don't think we have enough information to make any judgement, however attractive it might be to do so.