The search for Madeleine McCann, the three-year-old who was abducted a week ago, will have to be reduced within days, police sources said last night.

The Portuguese authorities will be forced to make the cut despite criticism that their investigation is floundering.

There are 180 senior detectives on the case. Their numbers will have to be "radically" slashed.

It is also likely that a significant proportion of the 800 beat officers will have to be reassigned.

Graham Hill, who solved the 30-year-old mystery of a teenage abduction and worked on the case of the missing schoolgirl Milly Dowler, has flown to help detectives.

Dozens of questions passed to police by Madeleine's parents have gone unanswered.

Detectives maintain they have to keep the family "afar" from the investigation.

Gerry and Kate McCann issued a statement last night in which they said: "We continue to remain positive."