Action urged over buried WW2 bombs in Guernsey

A Guernsey bomb disposal expert wants a full survey carried out to find and make safe three WW2 Allied bombs dropped on a field in St Peter Port.

Ben Remfrey says he had a constructive meeting with the Home Affairs committee over the issue of the three WW2 devices that remain buried near houses in the Foulon.

But the bomb disposal expert insists that the weapons can't be left to degrade:

"I firmly believe an error was made in 2018 and 19 when a full intrusive deep survey was not allowed to happen."

For its part, Home Affairs said it acted after consulting with the MoD and is satisfied that the bombs do not pose an immediate or significant risk.

Chief of Police Ruari Hardy says they are waiting for a file of evidence from Mr Remfrey but in the meantime seeks to reassure people living in the area:

"While we do understand the risks Mr Remfrey has raised, there has been nothing in recent years to specifically increase any risk there may be if the ordnance is there. If that changes, or the advice changes in light of the information shared today, the responsible authorities will always step up to ensure public safety.”

Ben Remfrey says after receiving the file from him, he would like Home Affairs to go out to tender to get a deep survey done:

"The first port of call for them is to go back to the MoD with my 69 slide deck and say to them, is this new evidence, can we review where we stand."

"This should have been dealt with five years ago but it wasn't. We're in a situation where subject matter expertise and knowledge that these devices are ageing and becoming more unstable and more prone to spontaneous detonation means we're really in a dangerous situation."

Mr Hardy says they are open to assessing new evidence:

"It is important for us to listen to all experts in a matter such as this, and we now better understand Mr Remfrey’s position, and will be able to reflect that to the Ministry of Defence.

We have said all along that we have not been closed off to the potential of further action should new evidence emerge, or the advice from our partners in the UK change."

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