http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27300312Police investigating Madeleine McCann's disappearance have said "activity" is to begin in Portugal soon.
The disclosure comes amid reports that Portuguese authorities have permission to search sites in Praia da Luz, where the toddler went missing in 2007.
In a letter, Met Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said he would be unable to "provide any information concerning the activity".
But he said he believed "activity will occur in the coming weeks".
The letter was sent to media editors amid speculation about excavation work. Mr Rowley asked editors to "think carefully" about information they publish.
Bureaucratic and slower
A request to search a number of sites was among a series of requests made to police in Portugal, according to reports.
On Tuesday, Mr Rowley said the processing of requests had been "more bureaucratic and slower than we would wish".
Madeleine was three when she went missing from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Algarve, in May 2007.
High interest
Mr Rowley sais he has discussed the case with his opposite number in Portugal and highlighted the "high levels of interest" that activity would generate in the British media.
But he said Portuguese police do not provide the media with updates on current investigations.
He adds that "activity will cease" if police in Britain provide information or reporters "cause any disruption to their work in Portugal".
