Spots of blood have been found in a bath in a suspected underground torture chamber at a former Jersey care home being investigated over allegations of child abuse.

A dog trained to detect blood was put into the cellar at Haut de la Garenne yesterday, and indicated two spots in the concrete bath. Tests for blood have given a positive result.

Police said yesterday that they could start making arrests in the case in the next two weeks.

Detectives have been given harrowing accounts of children suffering horrific sexual and physical abuse in the home’s cellar from the 1960s until the home’s closure in 1986.

A Jersey Police spokeswoman said: “It must be stressed that although the presence of blood in the bath corroborates the allegations made by some victims, there could also be an innocent explanation.” The blood samples will be forwarded to a laboratory in the UK for further examination. Tests are already being carried out on part of a child’s skull found buried in the home and burnt fragments of what could be human bone in the same pit.

Officers are also examining a wooden pillar behind the bath on which was written:

“I’ve been bad 4 years & years”.

Police search teams discovered the communal bath and a pair of shackles when they uncovered the cellar last week. They hope to break through to a second chamber next week and believe that there could be many other hidden underground rooms.

Detectives have information about more than 40 suspects, including members of the island’s Establishment and former care workers. They have heard from more than 160 alleged victims. Police confirmed that 100 people say that they were abused there and 25 people are suspected of sex crimes and physical assaults, including senior members of staff and a former politician.

The investigation team, which is looking into abuse allegations at a number of Jersey organisations, said that a further 262 calls were being processed and there were more than 40 suspects in the inquiry as a whole.

Up to 600 people are expected to travel to the Royal Square in St Helier today to observe a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to the children who allegedly suffered. The rally comes after several televised rows between Stuart Syvret, Jersey’s former Health Minister, who has accused the Government of covering up abuse, and Frank Walker, the island’s Chief Minister.

An update on a review of childcare on the island said that there needed to be improvements but that children are now safe. Andrew Williamson, a former director of Devon Social Services, was asked to review Jersey’s childcare system last year after Mr Syvret raised concerns. Mr Williamson, who is expected to complete his review this month, said:“There are a number of organisational and structural changes that will be recommended. And I am very pleased to see that a number of these are already being addressed.”

Victim’s relief

A letter from one of the alleged victims of abuse interviewed by officers was released by Jersey Police yesterday:

“Prior to our meeting, the thought of having to visit the ‘black area’ of my life and relive the events of my past, having to actually face them again and talk about them in detail, filled me with fear and utter dismay. Whilst finishing up with you on the last day I did experience a period of emotional breakdown (yet again!) I can say now that a heavy weight has been lifted not only from my shoulders, but also from my heart. There is light at the end of the tunnel and I am now walking towards it.”

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Scots may get more tax-raising powers
• Why team games may make your children fat
• Ivy League targets Britain’s top students