As part of an ongoing police investigation – codenamed Operation Whistle – the force say that 15 of the suspects are figures of public prominence – celebrities, TV personalities or sports people. Ten of them are dead and all but one of the 15 are based in the UK.
Since the investigation was launched in June, the States police have increased the number of officers working on the case from six to eight to deal with the number of allegations from members of the public. Twelve new complaints have been made in that time.
In total the force have engaged with as many as 45 victims who have made allegations against 47 named suspects.
The 13 unidentified suspects are still being researched and the force are communicating with colleagues in the UK to track them down.
To date there have been four arrests in Jersey, two people have been charged and two have been released pending further inquiries.
Detective Superintendent Stewart Gull, the head of crime services for the States police, said two figures of public prominence have already been interviewed with a third due to be spoken to shortly.
He added that a number of the victims live in the UK and one resided in Australia meaning the force have been engaged in extensive talks with authorities in the UK to ensure interviews are carried out and evidence is gathered.
In June the force said the suspected abuse in Jersey, which allegedly took place at the former children’s home Haut de la Garenne as well as three other unnamed institutions that are no longer functional, dates back to the 1930s. Since that time police say they now looking into five Jersey institutions.
‘Det Supt Gull added: ‘The Operation Whistle Team continues to work hard to ensure that victims are listened to and given the support that they need.
We commend the victims who have engaged with us and we would encourage anyone else who has been the victim of historical abuse to come forward and speak with us in confidence.
‘There have been arrests and there will be more to come.’
