Detectives in Portugal hunting for the British girl Madeleine McCann, who disappeared from her bed on Thursday night, today said they believed she had been kidnapped.

The three-year-old disappeared from the Ocean Club Resort run by the holiday firm Mark Warner in the seaside village of Praia Da Luz while her parents were at a restaurant 50 yards away. Hundreds of tourists and Portuguese residents yesterday searched the village and nearby beaches for signs of the girl.

The Portuguese police said they believe she had been kidnapped and was still alive in the Algarve area.

Guilhermino Emcarnacao, head of the Policia Judicari, said: “At first this was treated as a missing person but now there are several elements that point to a kidnapping .

“Under Portuguese law, a kidnapping can be when someone is held for ransom or when a person is held for sexual abuse.

“We have a portrait of the suspect but we do not want to give too many details as it could put the girl’s life at risk.”

All airports in Portugal and Spain have been placed on alert to look out for any passengers matching Madeleine’s description. Portuguese border police are also checking cars leaving the country.

Mr Emcarnacao said: “I would say to whoever has Madeleine, there is still time to give her back. He can call anonymously to the police and say the girl is at a place where we can find her. He can remain anonymous.”

It emerged today that Madeleine’s parents Gerry and Kate, both 38-year-old doctors from Rothley, Leicestershire, waited for more than an hour and 20 minutes before calling police after discovering that their daughter was missing from the apartment.

Madeleine, who answers to the name of Maddy, and will be four years old on May 12, was wearing pink Winnie the Pooh pyjamas when she was taken from the bed where she was sleeping with her twin two-year-old siblings, Amelie and Sean.

Police today brought in a helicopter to search surrounding countryside, and officers on horseback scoured the largely uninhabited area outside the village.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Charles blazes trail as sun king
• Thalidomiders win payout 50 years on
• Libel gag on talk of 'medical hurricane'