Madeleine police costs increase

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Leicestershire Police have spent almost £750,000 looking into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, was three years old when she went missing from a holiday flat in the Algarve in Portugal on 3 May 2007.

The force has revealed that the costs for 2008-09 reached £196,756, taking the total figure to £745,233.

It was revealed in February the cost to the force for 2007-08 was £548,477. The Home Office has reimbursed £525,069.

International publicity

The Home Office said at the time that if a local force incurs unforeseen extra costs, its police authority can ask for "special grant support" from the home secretary.

Despite Portugal's Policia Judiciaria leading the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance in Praia da Luz in May 2007, Leicestershire Police became involved as the home force of her parents Kate and Gerry.

Despite international publicity surrounding the case, Madeleine has never been found.

Her parents say they will believe Madeleine is alive until they see clear evidence to the contrary.

Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "The police keep Kate and Gerry informed as and when appropriate, and let them know of any movement on the case, and Kate and Gerry are grateful to them."

The Portuguese police have said they are no longer actively investigating the case.