Thought For Today :
Most snake bite stories start off, "Well there was this snake see, so I picked up a stick...."
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We - together with our three children Madeleine, Sean and Amelie
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Above currently featured on Leicester plod's website.
Madeleine's father hails UK police Friday, 13 Jul 2007 10:14
The father of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann has praised the "sterling work" of police officers and detectives in the UK.
Speaking at the National Police Federation annual bravery awards last night, Gerry McCann said the role of police forces was "often not appreciated until you really need their help".
Leaving his wife Kate and two young twins behind in Portugal, Mr McCann has flown to Britain to talk to police involved in the search for his daughter. She remains missing after being abducted from her bed while she slept at a holiday resort in Praia da Luz, the Algarve, on May 3rd.
He will also visit the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre later today to discuss their role in aiding Portuguese police find Madeleine.
At last night's award ceremony, attended by Prince Charles, Mr McCann received a standing ovation from police officers, which he described as a "humbling" experience.
"The vast majority of [police officers] that I managed to speak to are, like us, very optimistic that we will find Madeleine safe and well," he wrote later on his online blog.
"Somebody, somewhere knows where Madeleine is and it may take a single phone call for her to be found.
"We will not give up searching for her."
As the hunt for Madeleine enters its 71st day, police in Portugal have arranged a meeting between friends of the McCanns and Robert Murat, the only named suspect in their investigation.
The two friends, who were staying in the Algarve at the time of Madeleine's disappearance, claim to have seen Mr Murat in the vicinity of the McCann's villa, while the British national, given 'arguido' status by police, insists he did not leave his mother's house on the same night.
Portuguese detectives have not disclosed the outcome of the five-hour police station meeting.
source
