Police release new efit images in Madeleine McCann case

Scotland Yard has released two efit images of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The images have been made public ahead of an appeal on the BBC 1 Crimewatch programme to be televised on Monday (14 October) and are based on statements and descriptions from two witnesses.

Detectives working on the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann are finalising their preparations ahead of the investigation's most complex and detailed public appeal yet.

The appeal will run on Crimewatch as the top item in the programme. It will feature a comprehensive reconstruction, running nearly 25 minutes in length. The Met says that through meticulously drawing together specific information the team have been able to refocus the timeline and now place more significance on events that night.

Also featuring in the appeal will be a number of other efits of men that police are keen to speak to. They were all sightings in and around Praia da Luz in the days before and on Thursday, 3 May 2007 - the day of Madeleine's disappearance.

Police say the purpose of the appeal is to try and identify these men, to eliminate any innocent sightings or to establish if they are connected in any way.

Kate and Gerry McCann will make a live appeal in the studio, supported by the senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood.

The Metropolitan Police's Incident Room will be staffed during the appeal and the days that follow, when the appeal moves to Holland and Germany. A dedicated call centre will also be opened at Hendon.

DCI Andy Redwood, said:

"The timeline we have now established has given new significance to sightings and movements of people in and around Praia da Luz at the time of Madeleine's disappearance.

"Our work to date has significantly changed the timeline and the accepted version of events that has been in the public domain to date. It has allowed us to work with Crimewatch to build the most detailed reconstruction as yet, and highlight very specific appeal points.

"I hope that when the public see our investigative strands drawn together within the overall context of that appeal, it will bring in new information that moves our investigation forward."