27/02/2008

Sniffer Dog 'Makes Discovery' In Jersey

A police sniffer dog, trained to find human remains, is reported to have shown an "extremely strong reaction" as the search continues in the cellar of a former children's home in Jersey.

Lenny Harper, Jersey's Deputy Chief Police Officer, said that the dog's reaction was similar to the response when a child's skull was found at the Haut de la Garenne building on Saturday.

Forensic squads are examining a sealed room in the cellar of the building, in the search of for more bodies. Seven sites in the building are now being searched.

Mr Harper told reporters that police had received 70 calls from people who mentioned the cellar at the home.

The skull was found in the former children's home - now a youth hostel - on Saturday, as part of a police investigation into allegations of sexual abuse on the island, dating back to the 1960s.

The child's remains have been sent to the UK for tests in order to determine the age and gender of the child.

Further allegations of child abuse have continued to emerge and Jersey Police have confirmed that they have now spoken to more than 150 victims and witnesses. Former residents of the home have made allegations of rape and assault.

It is understood that a number of former employees at the home have been arrested on suspicion of child sex offences.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on: 0800 735 7777. An NSPCC helpline is also available and can be contacted on: 0800 169 1173 within Jersey or: 44(0)207825 7489.

(KMcA)


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31 July 2008
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25 February 2008
More Sites Searched At Jersey Hostel
Seven more sites at a youth hostel in Jersey are reportedly being searched, following the discovery of the remains of a child at the weekend. The remains were found at the former Haut de la Garenne children's home on Saturday, during a search as part of a police investigation into alleged child abuse.
24 June 2008
Man And Woman Arrested In Jersey Case
A man and woman have been arrested in Jersey by detectives involved in the Historical Abuse Enquiry. The Jersey police have said that a 70-year-old man and a 69-year-old man are currently in custody "in connection with a number of alleged grave and criminal assaults on children within the Jersey Care system in the 1960's and 1970's".
10 March 2008
Second Cellar To Be Searched In Jersey
Police searching a former care home in Jersey at the centre of child abuse allegations have reportedly broken into second bricked-up cellar in the building. The search at the Haut de la Garenne building is now entering its third week. Last month, a child's skull was found at the site.
29 February 2008
Search Continues At Jersey Care Home
Police investigating the discovery of a child's remains in a former care home in Jersey are continuing their search of underground rooms at the site. On Friday, it was reported that a trapdoor, described by victims of alleged child abuse at the Haut de la Garenne care home, had been discovered.