EDUCATION officials and police have insisted that safeguarding and investigative processes were followed correctly in the case of a teacher who sexually abused a student, after it emerged in court that his offending continued for months after concerns about his conduct towards her had already been examined.
However, responding to questions about the handling of the case of Alan Geoffrey Falle (35), both told the JEP that procedures have since been strengthened.
Falle was jailed last week for three years and four months after pleading guilty to 12 counts of abuse of trust by sexual act.
The disgraced teacher was arrested in 2024 after his now-adult victim wrote a letter to police explaining what had happened, but it emerged in the Royal Court that concerns about his behaviour had first been investigated several years earlier – inquiries which resulted in a warning and failed to uncover key evidence which was later used to support his conviction.
The initial investigation was triggered after the then-teenager inadvertently disclosed to a youth counsellor that Falle had given her his personal email address.
The following day, she was told that a safeguarding alert had been raised. She contacted Falle, who responded angrily, urging her to delete their messages, which she did. He also blocked her on Snapchat in case his phone was searched.
This took place before police began their inquiries.
Days later, officers spoke to the student, who did not disclose the relationship at the time. A police spokesperson told the JEP that there was “insufficient evidence to arrest and interview Falle”, and he was not questioned under caution.
The representative was, however, unable to confirm if the police took into account the risk of incomplete disclosure from a child in an abuse-of-trust context.
“It is common for victims of grooming and sexual assault to only feel safe to speak about what happened many years later. This delay is a recognised feature of trauma and coercive control, not a reflection on the victim,” they conceded.
“Unfortunately, this can mean that when offences are first reported, there may be insufficient evidence available at this stage to support an arrest or prosecution.”
At the same time, an internal HR investigation by the government’s Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) Department into out-of-hours communication with the then-teenage student was opened.
Falle was told that the investigation would need to review his devices, but the search was not carried out until a week later.
The court heard that “Snapchat, Instagram and other social media accounts were not visible applications on his telephone at the time”.
The investigation found he had sent “inappropriately friendly” emails on his school account and initiated conversations with the victim “late at night”.
Despite the findings, he was handed a procedural warning and his suspension was lifted.
Falle then continued to pursue a sexual relationship with the victim following the investigation.
CYPES declined to answer a series of questions from the JEP on what safeguarding procedures were in place at the time, and whether any further questions were asked of Falle regarding his use of personal accounts and apps.
They also declined to explain how safeguarding risk was assessed when Falle was allowed to continue working following the outcome of the investigation.
Responding in a statement, the department insisted that “safeguarding policies and procedures” in place at the time were followed, adding that the department continues “to strengthen our safeguarding arrangements to ensure that our systems remain robust, consistent, and protective of children and young people”.
CYPES did not answer when asked if the handling of the case had been reviewed given the apparent shortcomings, and whether any changes have been made to safeguarding procedures, digital evidence handling, staff communication policies, or training as a result.
A spokesperson said: “The government continues to review and improve safeguarding procedures, information-sharing arrangements, and staff training.
“…Safeguarding is an absolute priority and we remain committed to ensuring the highest possible standards of protection for children and young people.”
However, the States of Jersey Police confirmed to the JEP that the case was made subject to internal review when reopened in 2024.
The force said that the police’s “understanding” of safeguarding had “evolved considerably” since Falle’s offending.
“Officers today receive enhanced training on identifying, evidencing, and responding to grooming behaviours and power imbalance.
“The safeguarding of children remains the priority of the SOJP, and a culture of very strong partnership-working exists in this space.
“Every effort is made to identify and mitigate risks that are posed to children and SOJP will always strive to improve in this area.”
