With its austere, prison-like exterior and hilltop position above Jersey's east coast, Haut de la Garenne was a natural choice as the police HQ for TV's Bergerac crime drama series.
Now, however, the Victorian building is surrounded by cameras for another reason; an investigation into allegations of child abuse and possibly even murder.The discovery of the partial remains of a girl under seven inches of concrete has raised the awful spectre that years of rumour about the former 'industrial school' were grounded in fact.
The remains were found by a sniffer dog once used to search for the missing Tyrone schoolgirl Arlene Arkinson, believed murdered by the child killer Robert Howard. The dog has also shown an interested in six more locations at the site. The find obviously vindicates a decision by the police officer leading the investigation, Lenny Harper, to previously invest significant police resources - including covert investigations - into the allegations.
Ulsterman Mr Harper, a former RUC officer, deserves praise for the vigour of the investigation and the sensitive and dignified way it has been conducted.
Unfortunately, it appears there will be much more horror to come before Haut de la Garenne gives up its secrets.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/article3463866.ece
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