Sniffer dogs trained to detect human remains were sent into a Second World War bunker being searched as part of the Jersey child abuse investigation yesterday.
Six witnesses told police they were abused at the isolated bunker less than a mile from the former children's home Haut de la Garenne where the investigation has been focused.
The investigation shifted today as police launched the first part of a
detailed forensic search of the underground site after the witnesses, all former residents at the home, claimed they had been taken to the bunker by staff where they were subjected to abuse.
The site overlooking the idyllic St Catherine's Bay, was cordoned off yesterday as police made final preparations to release the dogs into the bunker.
Deputy Chief Officer Lenny Harper from States of Jersey Police explained: "The allegation is that residents from Haut de la Garenne were taken to the bunker by members of staff and abused there.
"We have an allegation of serious sexual crimes having taken place in the bunker.
"We are talking about six witness statements to us concerning the bunker. Six different witnesses and different incidents."
The bunker lies about 500 yards from the boundary of Haut de la Garenne.
Police believe it contains underground rooms used during the Second World War by the occupying German forces.
Mr Harper said the Haut de la Garenne site remains a "potential homicide scene".
Police have sifted through more than 150 tonnes of debris during the course of the inquiry which has now been completed at the home.
Haut de la Garenne is in St Martin on the east of the island.
Police are probing about 97 allegations of abuse in Jersey and have said there are more than 100 suspects.
Investigations started in February after the discovery of what was initially believed to be part of a child's skull.
Tests later suggested it was more likely to be wood or part of a coconut.
Scores of people later came forward claiming they were drugged, raped and beaten.
Police excavated four secret underground chambers at the site, referred to as punishment rooms by some victims, and found shackles, a bloodstained bath and children's teeth.
Police also recovered at least 30 charred human bone fragments and in one cellar found the disturbing message "I've been bad for years and years" scrawled on a wooden post.
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