Police in the UK who are investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have received around 400 tips since Wednesday.
They began to arrive soon after a new suspect was identified in Germany.
German police have just named him as Christian B, a 43 year old convicted child sex offender.
Christian B is currently in prison in Germany for a different offence.
The van (header image) that was seized in Portugal when he was arrested is in Germany for tests.
Also, a Jaguar car is undergoing checks.
"We think Madeleine McCann is dead."
German public prosecutors confirm they are treating the Madeleine McCann case as murder, adding the new suspect is a convicted sex offender who is currently in prison.
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Almost 400 Tips Sent Into UK Police
While the police in the UK are not treating the case as though Madeleine is dead.
They insist the case is still in the Missing Persons category.
German police (see video above) are treating it as a murder.
Mark Williams Thomas, who is a former detective, says the large volume of tips could be slowing the process down.
"Every new piece of information that comes in goes through a rigorous check."
"In terms of trying to stand that up, cross checking it in relation to information they currently have on file."
"Also seeing of course if that information is new and takes you in a new direction."
Photo: Christian Charisius/PA ImagesMadeleine McCann Parents "Never Giving Up Hope"
Madeleine disappeared from the family's holiday accommodation in Praia da Luz in 2007.
A spokesperson for parents Kate and Gerry said on Friday that they are never giving up hope.
Clarence Mitchell, told Sky News:
"They certainly will be encouraged to know the appeal is yielding results already.
"Hopefully within that there will be crucial bits of information the police can act upon."
