Bomb fears over Route Isabelle fields

Saturday 05 October 2024

Guernsey Police have tried to allay fears over the possibility of unexploded bombs lying in fields near Le Foulon.

A lengthy post on social media was shared last night after officers were "asked to respond to some concerns that have been raised in the past day about potential unexploded Second World War ordnance buried in a privately-owned field on the Foulon/Route Isabelle".

The concerns were first raised by highly regarded bomb disposal expert Ben Remfrey.

In response, Guernsey Police said they - working with the States' Emergency Planning Team, and Home Affairs - checked the fields in question after being alerted to the possibility of bombs lying there in 2018.

That work was carried out in 2019, and it found no evidence of any World War Two ordnance.

"In June 2019, the States of Guernsey commissioned a private, specialist company to conduct a non-invasive survey of the land the bombs were alleged to have landed in. That survey was also extended to the surrounding fields," said a police spokesperson.

"This survey found no evidence of any ordnance, nor did it find any evidence of a detonated device referred to in the historic letters.

"The specialists acknowledged that this survey did not rule out the existence of the ordnance, however the recommendation was made that whilst a second survey could be carried out, as long as there was no development in the area there was no requirement to carry out deeper investigations.

This investigation was sparked by the discovery of "historic letters from the Occupation ... shared with the Police EOD team indicating there may be such devices in the field".

The fields in question cannot be built on they fall outside of approved development areas, but the matter is logged by the Development & Planning Authority incase of any future applications.

Guernsey Police say there has not been a second survey to check deeper into the fields as it would be too disruptive to the public, in light of the evidence.

"... a cordon stretching to Waitrose on the Rohais and to the hospital would have to be put in place, which would have caused disproportionate disruption to the community in light of the initial survey not producing any evidence.

"The States of Guernsey and Guernsey Police take the risk of historic ordnance very seriously, as evidenced by the regular action of the Police’s EOD team. In this case, however, there is no strong evidence that these devices exist and the States of Guernsey has already conducted precautionary work to ensure the risk to the community is minimal."

Concerns remain that there are potential risks from unexploded ordnance in the field with Mr Remfrey among those calling for further, deeper investigations in the fields in question.

Guernsey Police said they are open to receiving any other information about the likelihood of bombs being in these fields and sought to reassure the public that safety is paramount.

"If anyone does have evidence regarding these potential ordnances, they are encouraged to get in touch with police on 01481 222 222.

"We’d like to reassure the community this matter will remain under review in light of any evidence that is brought forward; the States of Guernsey and Guernsey Police take the safety of the community very seriously."

More to come...