Police will be deployed to protect Kate and Gerry McCann at a prayer vigil marking the 18th anniversary of their daughter Madeleine's disappearance amid serious stalking concerns.
The security measure comes after the couple were allegedly targeted by two women, including one who falsely claims to be Madeleine herself.
This will be the first police presence at the annual Rothley vigil in eight years, with officers last attending in 2017 for the tenth anniversary gathering.
The McCanns were forced to pull out of last year's event after Polish woman Julia Wandel reportedly turned up uninvited at their Leicestershire home.
The McCanns will be attending the memorial
PA
Local vicar Simon Payne confirmed the police presence for Saturday's informal gathering, which the couple are expected to attend.
Wandel, 23, is charged with four counts of stalking Madeleine's family, including her twin siblings Sean and Amelie. She allegedly attended the McCanns' home on multiple occasions and sent letters, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to the family.
Karen Spragg, 60, from Cardiff, faces one charge of stalking. Both women pleaded not guilty at Leicester Crown Court on April 22 and will face trial in October.
Kate and Gerry are due to give evidence in person at the trial later this year, along with their twins. Wandel was remanded in custody until August, while Spragg was released on bail with conditions not to contact the McCanns or enter Leicestershire except for court appearances.
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Karen Spragg (left) and Julia Wandel have pleaded not guiltyPAThe vigil will take place at 7pm on Saturday at Rothley's war memorial, according to Kate's uncle, Brian Kennedy. "I have no idea how many will attend and it has been such a long time, but the local people are still very supportive," he said.
"We are aware of how quickly May 3rd comes round again but we keep on hoping even after such a long time."
Reverend Payne described the anniversary as "quite a milestone" for the family.
"People still want to come and remember Madeleine and pray for her family...I hope it will be a peaceful occasion with no disturbance."
Maddie's parents shared their hopes of one day seeing their daughter again to mark her 20th birthdayPA
Defendant Christian Brueckner is the prime suspect in the long-unsolved case of Madeleine McCann's disappearanceGETTYMadeleine vanished from the family's apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while they were holidaying with friends in May 2007.
German paedophile Christian Brueckner was named as the prime suspect in her disappearance in 2020. He is currently serving a seven-year sentence for raping a pensioner in the same Portuguese resort and is due to be released in September.
Police discovered disturbing evidence linked to Brueckner, including children's clothing and photographs of young girls resembling Madeleine hidden in a disused factory he owned. Investigators also found a sat-nav device showing he had spent time at a remote Algarve reservoir, which was later searched by divers.
Brueckner continues to deny any involvement in Madeleine's disappearance.
