Funding won't be a barrier to Pier Road probe, Minister pledges

Thursday 12 January 2023

The investigation and recovery efforts following the Pier Road tragedy will not be limited by funding constraints, the Home Affairs Minister has pledged.

Deputy Helen Miles has described the investigation into the explosion on 10 December, which collapsed Haut du Mont flats, claiming the lives of nine islanders, as the "most significant critical incident in modern times".

Currently, there are approximately 45 officers and staff working on the investigation, with 100 statements being recorded and over 400 separate lines of enquiry being pursued, according to Deputy Miles.

The update came in response to questions from the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel.

"Funding has not and will not constrain the appropriate response, recovery or investigation," Deputy Miles responded in a letter.

"Value for money principles will be applied... All costs are being recorded and tracked by the departments that were called upon to support the initial response to the Haut du Mont incident and the continued recovery efforts."

A Major Crime Enquiry Team, operating under the code name 'Operation Spire', has been established in response to the tragedy and is being led by Detective Superintendent Alison Fossey. Police Chief Robin Smith previously said officers were likely to be on the scene for months.

Pictured: Officers respond to the Pier Road tragedy.

"Dedicated Family Liaison Officers (FLOs) are also supporting all 10 bereaved families, whilst government have worked hard throughout, alongside Andium, with the 41 displaced residents," Deputy Miles said.

Despite officer resources being stretched by Operation Spire, as well as the investigation into the L'Ecume II collision on 8 December, which led to the deaths of three fishermen, Deputy Miles said the Chief of Police was "entirely confident SoJP [States of Jersey Police] can still maintain routine service that islanders expect."

LISTEN...

From the initial shock of the explosion to officer mental health and the ongoing investigations... Police Chief Robin Smith spoke about the emergency services' response to the island's twin tragedies on a recent episode of the Bailiwick Podcast, which you can listen to below or via your favourite pod provider...