German officials boost 24hr security after Madeleine McCann suspect Brueckner ‘repeatedly tried to escape cops’

GERMAN officials have stepped up security around Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner – after he has repeatedly tried to escape fed-up cops.

Cops in the north of the country have been told to review their 24-hour rolling guard of the rapist after it emerged he had a spat with a British national.

German officials have stepped up security around Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner Credit: PA

Brueckner has repeatedly tried to escape fed-up cops Credit: Darren Fletcher

Politicians have reacted angrily after it emerged the paedophile had repeatedly managed to give police the slip.

German Interior Minister Magdalena Finke admitted the surveillance operation had failed.

She confirmed Brueckner disappeared from police view on April 20 and has been deliberately taking routes police can’t follow him on by car.

The update has unnerved Maddie detectives who are keenly aware Brueckner is now legally permitted to leave Germany.

His ankle tag cannot be monitored outside the country and he is free to travel anywhere in Europe.

It has raised the spectre he might disappear before any charges over Maddie – or a retrial over rap allegations from 2024 – can reach court.

Cops have blasted watching Brueckner “the worst job in Germany”. The taxpayer-funded bill for watching the creep is estimated to be up to £1m-a-year.

A source said: “No-one wants to sit in a car all night every night protecting a rapist paedophile – but that’s what these officers are being asked to do.

Cops in the north of the country have been told to review their 24-hour rolling guard of the rapist Credit: AFP

It emerged the paedophile had repeatedly managed to give police the slip Credit: Dan Charity

“That Brueckner is then trying to give them the slip – to do God knows what – must be infuriating for them.

“But the reality is the German constitution means it is the Government’s legal duty to keep him safe.

“And if there is any chance of him being hauled in front of court for the McCann case, police need to know where he is.”

Claims this month that Brueckner would be extradited to the UK for trial at the Old Bailey over Maddie within a year have been denied in Germany.

One official told The Sun: “This just isn’t true. For this to happen proceedings would have been started already. They haven’t.”

Sources in the UK said the bold claims were “speculative” and showed a deep misunderstanding of the Met’s approach.

A source said: “The claims that a suspect could be extradited caught the Met by surprise as much as anyone.

“As far as detectives on Operation Grange are concerned this remains a missing person’s case.”

Dangerous Brueckner was released in September after his existing jail-term for a 2019 conviction for rape expired.

Claims this month that Brueckner would be extradited to the UK for trial at the Old Bailey over Maddie within a year have been denied in Germany Credit: AFP

Dangerous Brueckner was released in September after his existing jail-term for a 2019 conviction for rape expired Credit: EPA

Within days The Sun revealed he bragged to phone shop staff he had proof to “solve the scandal of the century” in a clear nod to the McCann case.

Three-year-old Madeleine, of Rothley, Leics., vanished from the Ocean Club, in Praia da Luz, Portugal on May 3 2007 while on holiday with her family.

Brueckner was named as the prime suspect in the disappearance and murder of the tot in 2020 by German cops who said his mobile phone had been pinged in the area on the night the tot disappeared.

Investigators say they have “physical” evidence Madeleine is dead but no forensic proof tying Brueckner to the case.

Witness Helge Busching claims a year later Brueckner all-but-confessed to him at a music festival, in Spain, saying “she didn’t scream” as the pair discussed the McCann case.

An exclusive Sun investigation – aired as a Channel 4 documentary – revealed cops are in possession of image files that help contribute to their understanding Maddie is dead.

They also have appalling child abduction stories where Brueckner daydreams about snatching and abusing young girls – including one outside a kindergarten.

He even brags about his desperation to “take something small and use it for days” in online chats with another paedophile.

Despite the overwhelming evidence investigators have been reluctant to charge over the case fearing the lack of forensic evidence would harm their chances.

Investigators take seriously the prospect Madeleine was snatched to order by human traffickers, potentially with links to Belgium.

The Met last year significantly stepped up their activity on the case, including jetting to Portugal last week to re-interview witnesses, as revealed by The Sun.

Brueckner has refused to answer police questions over the case but has insisted he is innocent in letters.

His lawyers continue to protest his innocence on all matters.