Scotland Yard announce that Maddie investigation team cut to four officers.

[G-Unit]

And have the Met issued any statement at all since 2012 to contradict the view that they believe Madeleine's disappearance was due to a criminal act by a stranger?

Maybe they're hoping we've forgotten they said it? Maybe they're hoping we've forgotten BHH's 'murder' word too?

[Alfred R Jones]

Maybe they're hoping we've forgotten they said it? Maybe they're hoping we've forgotten BHH's 'murder' word too?

Why would they hope that?  Do you really think the Met sit there worrying about BHH's "murder" word?  This is laughable stuff!  You really need to take a few deep breaths and try and clear your head.   

[G-Unit]

Why would they hope that?  Do you really think the Met sit there worrying about BHH's "murder" word?  This is laughable stuff!  You really need to take a few deep breaths and try and clear your head.   

Well, for a professional police force they've definitely muddied the waters haven't they. 'Criminal act by stranger' 'murder' 'dead' 'alive'. Anyone who thinks they know what Operation Grange thinks is deluding themselves big time.

[stephen25000]

Why would they hope that?  Do you really think the Met sit there worrying about BHH's "murder" word?  This is laughable stuff!  You really need to take a few deep breaths and try and clear your head.   

Judging by their statements, they literally do not have a clue, metaphorically or otherwise.

There is an excellent assessment of this elsewhere by a former  police officer.

[Miss Taken Identity]

Well, for a professional police force they've definitely muddied the waters haven't they. 'Criminal act by stranger' 'murder' 'dead' 'alive'. Anyone who thinks they know what Operation Grange thinks is deluding themselves big time.

Yeah I am not even convinced they know themselves!. I do know not all police officers believe the abduction from the apartment through a jemmied window!

[ferryman]

More or less what I was told a few weeks back but four too many in my opinion.

If Madeleine McCann is alive she will appear of her own volition and not be cause of any investigation however I doubt very much if this will ever happen.  Operation Grange is a perfect example of how not to investigate a missing child case.

Operation Grange is a perfect example of how not to investigate a missing child case.

Liars come in all shapes and sizes. No profession is without them.

[jassi]

Yeah I am not even convinced they know themselves!. I do know not all police officers believe the abduction from the apartment through a jemmied window!

29 detectives - maybe 29 different opinions

[Alfred R Jones]

Well, for a professional police force they've definitely muddied the waters haven't they. 'Criminal act by stranger' 'murder' 'dead' 'alive'. Anyone who thinks they know what Operation Grange thinks is deluding themselves big time.

I don't think its Op Grange that are deluding themselves. 

It really is incredibly simple.  The Met is investigating a criminal act by a stranger.  The victim is Madeleine.  She may be alive, or she may be dead.  If she is dead that would be murder.  If alive, adbuction.  Clear now?

[faithlilly]

I don't think its Op Grange that are deluding themselves. 

It really is incredibly simple.  The Met is investigating a criminal act by a stranger.  The victim is Madeleine.  She may be alive, or she may be dead.  If she is dead that would be murder.  If alive, adbuction.  Clear now?

And you know this how ? 

[pathfinder73]

I don't think its Op Grange that are deluding themselves. 

It really is incredibly simple.  The Met is investigating a criminal act by a stranger.  The victim is Madeleine.  She may be alive, or she may be dead.  If she is dead that would be murder.  If alive, adbuction.  Clear now?

They know what they're doing Alfie. The real investigation starts now.

[pegasus]

They know what they're doing Alfie. The real investigation starts now.

IMO if they are close to a solving it, they would keep more than 4 officers on the case.

[Alfred R Jones]

And you know this how ?

Because it is what they have told us.  Are they lying?

[misty]

IMO if they are close to a solving it, they would keep more than 4 officers on the case.

It only took 4 officers to solve the Cipriano case.

[jassi]

IMO if they are close to a solving it, they would keep more than 4 officers on the case.

Not if they had already got rid of the dross 'evidence' - the 8000 odd spurious sightings and the innumerable persons of 'no interest what so ever'.

[Miss Taken Identity]

Not if they had already got rid of the dross 'evidence' - the 8000 odd spurious sightings and the innumerable persons of 'no interest what so ever'.

Indeed!  And as has been discussed by myself ad some colleagues, they may 'know'  what happened but are not in a position to arrest anyone due to lack of physical evidence. In that case their hands are tied. They pack up and come home.  It does show signs of winding down to closure. Or The case can be left shelved or open until a credible witness comes foward.