German Maddie cops make urgent plea to Met Police for help before prime suspect Christian Brueckner walks free in months

GERMAN investigators want British cops to reopen their live investigation into Madeleine McCann before the prime suspect walks free.

They believe that help from the Met’s Operation Grange team could be crucial ahead of Christian Brueckner’s release from jail later this year.

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Currently the UK team staffs hotlines and monitors new tip-offs on Madeleine’s disappearance.

But their German counterparts want them to play a bigger role to help secure a successful prosecution.

A source said: “There is huge interest in Germany in the British stepping up their investigation again.

“The clock is against the case here and investigators do not want to see Brueckner walk free.

“Their best option could be intervention from UK cops – but they have to be prepared to take it on.

“There are 20,000 pages of Madeleine evidence and the Germans are ready to translate the lot.”

Convicted paedophile Brueckner is scheduled to be released on September 17 – just 19 weeks away — from his current prison sentence for rape.

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Fears have been growing among prosecutors that an appeal which would keep Brueckner behind bars will not be granted in time.

Their back-up plan has been to charge Brueckner over the disappearance of Madeleine, then three, from Portugal’s Praia da Luz in May 2007.

But they fear a lack of forensic evidence may be frowned on by the same courts that cleared him of child abuse and rape claims last year.

The latest development comes after a Sun investigation aired on Channel 4 tonight revealed new evidence found at Brueckner’s lair in Germany.

A haul of disturbing material included child-abduction stories written by Brueckner, plus chilling Skype chats with other paedophiles.

Kids’ swimming costumes and toys were also found, along with guns, ammo and chemicals.

There were also creepy photos of Brueckner, including nude, at the Arade Dam, a key search location for Madeleine.

Madeleine’s parents Gerry and Kate were made aware of our findings before publication.

Operation Grange was granted £108,000 in public funding last month to keep it running for another year.

It continues to treat Madeleine as a missing person.

However German investigators say they have “physical” proof she is dead.

Last October, lead prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters stated they believe Brueckner kidnapped and murdered her.

This position remains the same, The Sun can confirm.

A source in Germany said: “As a starting point the Brits would need to apply in writing for evidence.

“There is a legal procedure to follow.”

The Met said Operation Grange was open to any evidence that can be provided.

A spokesperson added: “We continue to support Madeleine’s family to understand what happened on the evening of 3 May, 2007 in Praia da Luz.

“This includes working with our colleagues in Germany and Portugal.

“Our thoughts remain with the family.”