DCO Lenny Harper fields questions as historical child abuse puts Jersey back in the national media spotlight. (0604203)

JERSEY police have begun forensic investigations after allegations of serious sexual crimes in a bunker near Haut de la Garenne.

The former children’s home has since November been at the centre of an inquiry into sexual child abuse in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.  Speaking at the German bunker yesterday morning, senior investigating officer Lenny Harper said six witnesses had come forward claiming serious sexual abuse had taken place there.

‘The allegation is that residents of Haut de la Garenne were taken to the bunker by members of staff and abused there,’ he said. ‘The aim is to collect any forensic evidence which will corroborate allegations that serious sexual crimes took place in the bunker.

‘Before the examination starts, I’m going to put a human remains and blood screening dog in there. Due to the nature of the bunker and its use over the years there is always a possibility of contamination, but it is still necessary for us to go in.

‘We would be surprised if there wasn’t a reaction from the dog. We don’t know what we are going to find.’