Guernsey deputy calls for second bomb survey

Deputy Chris Blin has said investigators "need to look that little bit deeper"

A Guernsey politician has backed calls from a bomb disposal for further investigation work in a private field near a housing development.

It comes after research conducted by expert Ben Remfrey concluded three bombs may have been dropped on Route Isabelle 80 years ago, which still have not exploded.

Deputy Chris Blin said: "I just think it is one of these subjects that we have to take extremely seriously."

In 2019, a private specialist company commissioned by the States of Guernsey found no evidence of explosives at the site near the Wellington Close housing development , and in a recent update Guernsey Police said there was "no strong evidence that these devices exist".

'Look deeper'

The police statement, which was released on 4 October, added: "The States of Guernsey has already conducted precautionary work to ensure the risk to the community is minimal."

Mr Blin said: "Although there was an investigation done, I believe in 2019, it is believed by Ben Remfrey that they need to look that little bit deeper to make sure.

He added: "The action recommended would be to re-look at the survey and take it from there just to make sure that we have covered bases to make sure we are protecting our local community in case of a potentially horrific incident."

Wendy and Bob Hales, who own the field next to Route Isabelle said they had no knowledge of the potential risks when they bought the land in 2016.

Ms Hales said she was "horrified" to read reports the 2019 survey had only checked for bombs up to 4ft (1.2m) below the surface.

She added she felt there was "a huge degree of incompetence" and that a "proper survey" should be completed.

Home Affairs told the BBC nothing had changed in the area since it was last surveyed in 2019 so there was no cause for concern.