Experts searching a field opposite Le Foulon cemetery have found ‘three anomalies’ which could be bombs dropped during the Occupation.
The suspected ‘unexploded ordnance’ was detected during surveys carried out by 6 Alpha Associates on a field at Route Isabelle.
They’ve said there is no immediate risk to the public because the bombs – if they are bombs – are buried so deep below the field’s surface.
“The anomalies are believed to be approximately 8m under the surface,” said a States spokesperson.
“Because of the depth the anomalies are at, there remains no immediate risk to the public or surrounding residents. Professional advice and further analysis of the results will determine the next steps when the survey is complete and the full report presented.”
The survey was commissioned by Home Affairs after relentless pressure from local bomb disposal expert Ben Remfrey who has long suspected that unexploded ordnance was lying dormant in the field.
He went public with his concerns last year after unexploded World War II ammunition – believed to be similar to those dropped on Guernsey during the early years of the Occupation – detonated spontaneously elsewhere.
He has previously said each of the three bombs in the Route Isabelle field could weigh up to 1000lbs. He had evidence from the war stating that bombs had landed in the fields, giving him an idea of where they were still lying (pictured top).
Mr Remfrey revealed that a shallow survey of the field had been carried out in 2019, and he was concerned that it simply hasn’t looked deep enough.
He pushed for an “intrusive deep survey” to be carried out, which finally got started earlier this month.
A spokesperson for the States has now confirmed that the deep survey has “located three anomalies, which initial assessment suggests could be unexploded ordnance”.
“This cannot, however, be confirmed until the survey is complete, and the data is analysed,” added the spokesperson.
The field in question lies along Route Isabelle, opposite Le Foulon Cemetery.
There are residential and commercial developments around the field, including two housing clos which have been built in the past decade.
The States spokesperson said people who live nearby are being kept informed of what’s happening.
“Regular updates are being issued to residents living near the fields, and further meetings will be offered to them when the full report is given to the Committee Office. It was important to issue this update today as soon as possible as part of this process.”