Those working on the investigation are now continuing to examine evidence, interview key witnesses and liaise with the Law Officers’ Department about potential criminal offences.
She said: “I would very much like to progress to that point [where the role of the Police in the investigation was complete] by the first anniversary of the explosion,” she said. “However we are in the hands of others whose evidence we will be relying on, so we can’t be certain of timings.”
Carried out in partnership with the Health and Safety Inspectorate, Operation Spire has involved more than 900 lines of enquiry, with investigators taking more than 400 statements and collecting more than 700 exhibits, many of which are being by experts at the HSE Science and Research Centre in the UK.
Pictured: Detective Superintendent Alison Fossey is leading ‘Operation Spire’.
Det Supt Fossey said that a team of specialists would be working over the coming weeks to ensure that all personal effects were returned to the families of the 10 Islanders who lost their lives as a result of the explosion, as well as others who were forced to leave their homes.
Det Supt Fossey said that although those involved in the investigation continued to keep an open mind about what led to the tragedy, the “working hypothesis” remained that a gas explosion was the cause.