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Investigations into the suspected hit-and-run incident in which a father and son were killed remain ongoing – as police reveal that they are "using expertise in UK labs" to analyse evidence including 504 documents, 94 statements and 414 media items such as CCTV footage.
Police have today issued an update on the investigation into the deaths of Dean and Charlie Lowe, as well as updates on the progress of other major incident investigations including the Pier Road explosion, the L’Ecume II collision, and the Storm Ciarán clean up.
In an update on all four major incidents today, Chief of Police Robin Smith praised the "enormous amount of hard work" of his colleagues as they "undertake such complex and painstaking investigations, while also continuing to respond to the calls of islanders every day".
Pictured: Chief of Police, Robin Smith, praised his staff for their hard work and professionalism in dealing with an unprecedented number of major incidents.
“We are currently in a position where a force of just over 200 officers is investigating a series of incidents involving 15 unexplained deaths," said Mr Smith.
He continued: “The organisation is running hot and it has been running hot for almost a year now.
"Today is 341 days since the L’Ecume II tragedy and since then our major incident teams have worked through nearly 2,500 lines of enquiry, taken over 1,200 statements and examined almost 3,000 exhibits across three investigations."
Chief of Police, Robin Smith gives an update on the progress made on the major incidents the Force is currently dealing with. https://t.co/7YVRGzPHej pic.twitter.com/e1MUAodB8J
— States of Jersey Police (@JerseyPolice) November 14, 2023
Mr Smith explained: “For the last 11 months our investigators have been diligently collecting every piece of evidence to help ensure that we get to the truth of what happened for victims, families and the wider community.
"But the investigators are only one part of the team that also involves family liaison officers and civilian staff who all contribute to the overall effort.
Pictured: It has been almost a year since the collision between the L'Ecume II trawler and a Condor freight ship claimed the lives of three fishermen. (Rob Currie)
“While the major incidents will inevitably be the focus for many islanders and media, we should not forget the huge efforts that staff make to ensure the island is a safe place every day and that’s the bread and butter of policing and the broader work we do.”
As well as talking about the broader efforts involved in dealing with the major incidents, the Chief of Police also spoke specifically about progress on each incident individually...
“We’ve arrested three people who have been bailed while our investigation continues. We’re currently awaiting the results of forensic tests by the Health and Safety Executive in the UK in order to complete our investigations.
“Whilst the investigation into the events at Pier Road remains a joint one between the SOJP and HSI, there are two separate criminal investigations being conducted under this umbrella – the one by us and one by the Health and Safety Inspectorate, which is considering potential offences under the Health and Safety at Work Law.
Pictured: Police search officers at the Haut du Mont explosion scene will begin to scale back next week, following the progress that has been made.
“While we have continued to keep bereaved families and those who lost their homes up to date with what is happening, we have also been working with the Government and others who are supporting displaced families and looking at issues such as how to mark the anniversary.
“As we move forward, the Health and Safety Inspectorate and States of Jersey Police will continue to provide updates.”
“In preparation for submitting the file, the investigation team has completed more than 600 lines of enquiry since the start of the investigation and worked through more than 1075 documents, 467 pieces of media (for example, CCTV footage and photographs), 920 exhibits and 258 pieces of property.
Pictured: Jervis Baligat, Mick Michieli and Larry Simyunn were all aboard the L'Ecume II when it sank.
"In addition, 202 statements have been obtained from around 138 witnesses, which have been focused enquiries due to the limited number of eyewitnesses to the events of the collision.
"The Law Officers’ Department will review the file but given its size and complexity it will take some time to consider the evidence submitted and make a decision on charging.”
“The whole island was shocked by the terrible events in which Dean and Charlie Lowe died this summer and as part of our ongoing investigation a suspect remains on bail.
“We’ve also been using expertise in UK labs to analyse some of the evidence we’ve collected which, so far, also includes 169 Lines of Enquiry, 504 documents, 94 statements and 414 media items such as CCTV footage.”
“The events of a couple of weeks ago remain fresh in the mind for islanders. The clean-up process is still ongoing, and it will take many years for the island to fully recover.
“The difference with this major incident is that, thanks to the fantastic forecasting of Jersey Met Office, we saw it coming and had time to prepare.
Pictured: Storm Ciarán particularly impacted homes in St Clement.
“Now everyone has a tale to tell about Storm Ciaran, but thanks to the warnings that islanders thankfully heeded, at least they can tell it. The fact that we have not been dealing with additional fatalities as a result of the storm is a welcome relief.
“The support from the community towards those affected by this incident has been heart-warming and officers have really appreciated it.”
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