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More remains feared at care home

Sun Feb 24 08:40:25 UTC 2008

More remains feared at care home

Sun Feb 24 10:00:34 UTC 2008
Police in Jersey have not ruled out finding more bodies as their search of a former children's home continues. Police in Jersey have not ruled out finding more bodies as their search of a former children's home continues.
Parts of a child's body have been found at Haut de la Garenne in St Martin, which is at the centre of an inquiry into alleged child abuse.Parts of a child's body have been found at Haut de la Garenne in St Martin, which is at the centre of an inquiry into alleged child abuse.
The remains are thought to date from the early 1980s. Police have not said whether they are male or female.The remains are thought to date from the early 1980s. Police have not said whether they are male or female.
The investigation involves the abuse of boys and girls aged between 11 and 15, since the 1960s.The investigation involves the abuse of boys and girls aged between 11 and 15, since the 1960s.
Jersey police began investigating allegations of abuse in November last year.Jersey police began investigating allegations of abuse in November last year.
We don't know yet that this is a murder, and we don't know yet if this is the only remains that we're going to find in there
Jersey's Deputy Chief Police Officer, Lenny Harper 		We don't know yet that this is a murder, and we don't know yet if this is the only remains that we're going to find in there
Lenny Harper,
Deputy chief police officer
The excavation of Haut de la Garenne, involving a sniffer dog and ground radar, started on Tuesday when information emerged from the police inquiry.The excavation of Haut de la Garenne, involving a sniffer dog and ground radar, started on Tuesday when information emerged from the police inquiry.
The investigation involves several government institutions and organisations in Jersey, with the Haute de la Garenne home and Jersey Sea Cadets the main focus of the inquiry.The investigation involves several government institutions and organisations in Jersey, with the Haute de la Garenne home and Jersey Sea Cadets the main focus of the inquiry.
A police spokeswoman said more than 140 potential victims or witnesses had contacted a helpline since the investigations began.A police spokeswoman said more than 140 potential victims or witnesses had contacted a helpline since the investigations began.
They have identified dozens of possible suspects with detectives following up leads in Europe and as far away as Australia. They have identified dozens of possible suspects with detectives following up leads in Europe and as far away as Australia.
Specialist assistanceSpecialist assistance
Jersey's Deputy Chief Police Officer, Lenny Harper, who is in charge of the investigation, said detectives "think there is the possibility they may find more remains".Jersey's Deputy Chief Police Officer, Lenny Harper, who is in charge of the investigation, said detectives "think there is the possibility they may find more remains".
He said there may be other areas of interest to search teams within the building and its grounds.He said there may be other areas of interest to search teams within the building and its grounds.
I am frankly very apprehensive about what else they will find
Former Jersey Health Minister Senator Stuart Syvret 		I am frankly very apprehensive about what else they will find
Senator Stuart Syvret,
Former Jersey health minister
"We don't know yet if this is the only remains that we're going to find in there," he said."We don't know yet if this is the only remains that we're going to find in there," he said.
He added that identification of the child would be a "long and arduous" process. He added that identification of the child would be a "long and arduous" process.
"There are records, just how good those records are for periods before contemporaneous times, I'm not quite sure.""There are records, just how good those records are for periods before contemporaneous times, I'm not quite sure."
Former Jersey Health Minister Senator Stuart Syvret urged anyone who had been at Haut de la Garenne to come forward.Former Jersey Health Minister Senator Stuart Syvret urged anyone who had been at Haut de la Garenne to come forward.
His concerns last year about alleged child abuse in Jersey institutions led to an independent review of child care services by Jersey's parliament, the States of Jersey.His concerns last year about alleged child abuse in Jersey institutions led to an independent review of child care services by Jersey's parliament, the States of Jersey.
Mr Syvret told BBC News: "It's essential those with concerns call it, or get in touch with the police.Mr Syvret told BBC News: "It's essential those with concerns call it, or get in touch with the police.
"Having spoken to people who were at Haut de la Garenne, this discovery is not surprising."Having spoken to people who were at Haut de la Garenne, this discovery is not surprising.
"I am frankly very apprehensive about what else they will find.""I am frankly very apprehensive about what else they will find."
Haut de la Garenne started life in 1867 as the Industrial School, for "young people of the lower classes of society and neglected children".Haut de la Garenne started life in 1867 as the Industrial School, for "young people of the lower classes of society and neglected children".
It is now Jersey's Youth Hostel and featured as a police station in the TV series Bergerac, which is set on the island.It is now Jersey's Youth Hostel and featured as a police station in the TV series Bergerac, which is set on the island.