POLICE officers are likely to remain at the site of the Haut du Mont explosion for the next three months in an inquiry lasting at least half a year, States police chief Robin Smith has told the JEP.
Mr Smith called the demand on police resources generated by the investigation at Pier Road and the maritime inquiry into the L’Ecume II tragedy ‘unprecedented’, with a total of 18 officers now drawn in from the UK under mutual aid arrangements, and a further eight requested.
Meanwhile, since 10 December, the Island’s complement of 205 officers have been working 12-hour shifts – compared with their normal eight or ten hours – to cope with the additional pressures generated by the two simultaneous inquiries.
‘Demand is unprecedented. I don’t think that anyone can say in recent history that the States of Jersey Police has investigated the deaths of 13 people, particularly with such short duration between the two tragedies. It is obvious that that provides its own pressure but I am supremely confident that we will continue to be able to respond to our calls to keep Islanders safe,’ Mr Smith said.
On Wednesday, fire, explosives and gas experts from the UK were working alongside the health and safety inspectorate to help determine the events leading to the tragedy on 10 December which claimed ten lives.
The police chief paid tribute to the dedication of the emergency services since the incident and to the assistance of the deputy viscount and hospital staff in the recovery and identification of the victims.
‘I could never have predicted that it would be as quick as that and I hope that’s some comfort to the families,’ he said.
But Mr Smith added that it was important to realise that the police ‘were certainly closer to the start [of their inquiries] than to the end’.
He confirmed that none of the residents displaced by the explosion were yet able to return to their homes in the nearby buildings although some will be able to recover further belongings from properties judged safe.
‘This unfortunately does not include all flats due to the level of damage caused to some that are not safe to access. The displaced residents have been supported since the explosion by several agencies including Andium Homes, Customer and Local Services and the police as part of a community support hub. Customer and Local Services are the lead agency in supporting the residents and the repatriation of their property,’ Mr Smith said.
Earlier this week it was confirmed that the police had opened an independent investigation into the maritime accident – Operation Nectar – which is being led by a former detective chief inspector from Thames Valley Police.
