Woman held over bogus Madeleine collection funds

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of making bogus door-to-door collections in England for the fund set up to help find Madeleine McCann, it emerged today.

Staffordshire Police said the 33-year-old, from Chadsmoor, Cannock, was detained last Friday after being given cash by householders in the Johnson Road area of the town.

The woman, who is understood to have admitted that the collections were not genuine, has been bailed until June 30.

Inspector Mat Derrick, commander of Cannock Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: “We are not aware of any legitimate door-to-door collections in the area for this fund and would urge anyone who has given money to this woman at the door to contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information which could assist the inquiry is asked to contact Pc Andrew Cotterill in England on 08453 302010.