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Third room found at Jersey home | Third room found at Jersey home |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Police are to investigate a third cellar at Haut de la Garenne in Jersey following a phone call from an ex-staff member at the former children's home. | Police are to investigate a third cellar at Haut de la Garenne in Jersey following a phone call from an ex-staff member at the former children's home. |
A sniffer dog reacted "strongly" when it entered the first underground room at the former children's home on Wednesday, according to officers. | A sniffer dog reacted "strongly" when it entered the first underground room at the former children's home on Wednesday, according to officers. |
On Saturday, the remains of a child was discovered on the premises, which is at the centre of abuse allegations. | On Saturday, the remains of a child was discovered on the premises, which is at the centre of abuse allegations. |
Search teams are digging turf which they believe may have been disturbed. | Search teams are digging turf which they believe may have been disturbed. |
More than 160 people have called police to say they were abused at the home. | More than 160 people have called police to say they were abused at the home. |
'Fits descriptions' | 'Fits descriptions' |
Jersey deputy chief police officer Lenny Harper said the force had received 70 calls from people mentioning a cellar. | Jersey deputy chief police officer Lenny Harper said the force had received 70 calls from people mentioning a cellar. |
"It would appear as if the cellar is exactly as some of the witnesses who've made statements to us, and victims have described," he told reporters. | "It would appear as if the cellar is exactly as some of the witnesses who've made statements to us, and victims have described," he told reporters. |
Some of the bricking up appears suspicious but there could be an innocent explanation for it Lenny Harper, deputy chief of police Ex-residents relive memoriesIn pictures: Jersey inquiry | Some of the bricking up appears suspicious but there could be an innocent explanation for it Lenny Harper, deputy chief of police Ex-residents relive memoriesIn pictures: Jersey inquiry |
Officers have already gained partial access to the first cellar after structural engineers assessed the safety of the building. | Officers have already gained partial access to the first cellar after structural engineers assessed the safety of the building. |
A forensic archaeologist is due to enter it to begin sifting through large piles of rubble and soil. | A forensic archaeologist is due to enter it to begin sifting through large piles of rubble and soil. |
Senior officers said the reaction of a sniffer dog inside the room was similar to when a child's remains were found at the home on Saturday. | Senior officers said the reaction of a sniffer dog inside the room was similar to when a child's remains were found at the home on Saturday. |
A second underground room adjoining the first has still to be searched. | A second underground room adjoining the first has still to be searched. |
It is understood the second chamber is the same size as the first - about 12ft square and 8ft high - and is also bricked up. | It is understood the second chamber is the same size as the first - about 12ft square and 8ft high - and is also bricked up. |
Mr Harper said: "Some of the bricking up appears suspicious but there could be an innocent explanation for it. | Mr Harper said: "Some of the bricking up appears suspicious but there could be an innocent explanation for it. |
"The initial look at what is in there certainly corroborates some of the victims." | "The initial look at what is in there certainly corroborates some of the victims." |
The cellars are among six areas at the site identified for further investigation by officers. | The cellars are among six areas at the site identified for further investigation by officers. |
A former member of staff at the home who contacted police about a third underground room - unconnected with the first two cellars - will be asked to help officers locate it. | |
The former employee added that it was not part of the main building and was used as a store room, a police spokesman said. | |
Inquiries have so far uncovered 40 suspects and prompted 200 phone calls from alleged victims and witnesses. | Inquiries have so far uncovered 40 suspects and prompted 200 phone calls from alleged victims and witnesses. |
The underground rooms have been found at the former children's home | The underground rooms have been found at the former children's home |
The NSPCC said it had received more than 100 calls from adults reporting allegations of child abuse in Jersey. | The NSPCC said it had received more than 100 calls from adults reporting allegations of child abuse in Jersey. |
More than a third of the calls were made in the last two days and 45 have been referred to the States of Jersey police, the charity said. | More than a third of the calls were made in the last two days and 45 have been referred to the States of Jersey police, the charity said. |
MPs led by the Liberal Democrat John Hemming have called for a wider public inquiry into what they say are "numerous proven reports of abuse in care in England" over the years. | MPs led by the Liberal Democrat John Hemming have called for a wider public inquiry into what they say are "numerous proven reports of abuse in care in England" over the years. |
Previously, 17 MPs from all parties had tabled a Commons motion accusing Jersey officials of "concealment" in failing to deal with the problem. | Previously, 17 MPs from all parties had tabled a Commons motion accusing Jersey officials of "concealment" in failing to deal with the problem. |
The MPs, led by Labour's Austin Mitchell, said the political authorities in Jersey have been "seriously compromised" by repeatedly failing to act properly. | The MPs, led by Labour's Austin Mitchell, said the political authorities in Jersey have been "seriously compromised" by repeatedly failing to act properly. |
However, the States of Jersey's Chief Minister, Frank Walker, has denied any cover-up in tackling the allegations. | However, the States of Jersey's Chief Minister, Frank Walker, has denied any cover-up in tackling the allegations. |