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Claims of abuse in Jersey bunker Claims of abuse in Jersey bunker
(about 1 hour later)
Six witnesses say they were abused in a WWII bunker near a former Jersey children's home at the centre of abuse claims, Jersey police have said.Six witnesses say they were abused in a WWII bunker near a former Jersey children's home at the centre of abuse claims, Jersey police have said.
The witnesses have alleged "serious sexual crimes" at the bunker, near the former home Haut de la Garenne, said deputy chief officer Lenny Harper.The witnesses have alleged "serious sexual crimes" at the bunker, near the former home Haut de la Garenne, said deputy chief officer Lenny Harper.
They said they were taken to the bunker and abused by staff from the former home, which is about 500 metres away.They said they were taken to the bunker and abused by staff from the former home, which is about 500 metres away.
A specialist search dog is due to be sent into the bunker later.A specialist search dog is due to be sent into the bunker later.
'Serious sexual crimes'
Mr Harper, who is leading the investigation, said: "The allegation is that residents from Haut de la Garenne were taken to the bunker by members of staff and abused there.Mr Harper, who is leading the investigation, said: "The allegation is that residents from Haut de la Garenne were taken to the bunker by members of staff and abused there.
"We are talking about six witness statements to us concerning the bunker. Six different witnesses and different incidents.""We are talking about six witness statements to us concerning the bunker. Six different witnesses and different incidents."
We can expect to find evidence to corroborate the witness accounts Deputy chief officer Lenny Harper
Mr Harper said there were a number of different entrances to the bunker, which would be worked through methodically.Mr Harper said there were a number of different entrances to the bunker, which would be worked through methodically.
"It was fairly easy for people to get in there at one stage.""It was fairly easy for people to get in there at one stage."
He said a full forensic search would take place at the bunker, which was built by the Nazis during their occupation of the island, but he hoped it would not have to be dug out.He said a full forensic search would take place at the bunker, which was built by the Nazis during their occupation of the island, but he hoped it would not have to be dug out.
"We can expect to find evidence to corroborate the witness accounts," he said."We can expect to find evidence to corroborate the witness accounts," he said.
Huge search
The search is expected to take a few days.The search is expected to take a few days.
100 suspects
Earlier it was announced that Mr Harper is to be replaced by Deputy Chief Officer David Warcup, who is currently Deputy Chief Constable of Northumbria, when he retires in August.Earlier it was announced that Mr Harper is to be replaced by Deputy Chief Officer David Warcup, who is currently Deputy Chief Constable of Northumbria, when he retires in August.
When Mr Warcup, 50, takes over he will be responsible for the overall strategy, policy and standards of the investigation, Jersey Police said.When Mr Warcup, 50, takes over he will be responsible for the overall strategy, policy and standards of the investigation, Jersey Police said.
The force also said it would appoint a full-time senior investigating officer, who will be responsible for operations for the investigation.The force also said it would appoint a full-time senior investigating officer, who will be responsible for operations for the investigation.
Mr Harper, 56, had previously been in charge of both roles.Mr Harper, 56, had previously been in charge of both roles.
100 suspects
A huge search of the former children's home was triggered in February when police said they had discovered fragments of a child's skull under a staircase.
Tests on the fragments later turned out to be inconclusive, but the excavation has since uncovered numerous human remains and thousands of exhibits.
Police say they are confident violence took place at the home, but a murder inquiry still remains only a possibility.
About 100 people have made allegations of abuse at the home between the early 1960s and 1986.About 100 people have made allegations of abuse at the home between the early 1960s and 1986.
Police so far have about 100 suspects, though they say only 18 of these are significant.Police so far have about 100 suspects, though they say only 18 of these are significant.