This Is Guernsey

By Natalie Harrison

A SMEAR campaign discrediting officers involved in Jersey’s historic child abuse investigation will not detract from the task at hand, say Jersey Police.

The force’s press officer Louise Nibbs said that the inquiry team was progressing well, collecting and analysing evidence from victims and witnesses. It was hoped that at least two arrests would follow in the next few weeks.

‘A small number of police officers have left the force in various circumstances after being accused of activities which could be described as corrupt,’ said Miss Nibbs. ‘They, and associates of theirs, including a local businessman and a small number of politicians, have conducted a high profile campaign aimed at discrediting officers involved in their cases.

‘This has included sending a large number of letters including, as reported in the Jersey Evening Post last year, a threat to damage the home and vehicle of one of the officers concerned.’

She emphasised that no current ministers were involved in the campaign, which had targeted the case’s Senior Investigating Officer Lenny Harper.

‘Jersey Police would reiterate that during this enquiry they have received full support, including the provision of whatever resources are necessary, from the Home Affairs Minister and the Chief Minister,’ she said.

‘However, following the public announcement of this enquiry a politician connected with the child-abuse debate was approached by at least one of these former officers and warned not to trust or co-operate with the officers leading the enquiry.

‘This was followed by a letter and/or an email sent to a number of newsdesks in London which attempted to smear the leaders of the inquiry. Jersey Police have been given a copy of this document and know the author, a sister of one of the associates of those former officers.’

While Miss Nibbs emphasised that there was no evidence that these officers were involved in any ‘cover-up’ of former offences of the type being investigated, the focus of the inquiry team remained the detection of people who had committed offences against children.

‘Should there be evidence of criminal offences in connection with a failure to deal with previous matters, then those will be investigated following the priority task of bringing suspects for abuse to justice,’ she said.

The team was yesterday boosted by incident-room staff from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, as recommended by the ACPO Homicide Review Team.

* Police in Jersey are still seeking information relating to the investigation, from victims or witnesses of abuse in both islands. The Jersey-based Historical Abuse Inquiry Team can be contacted on 0800 735 7777.