Police refute online claims of an investigation of a local paedophile ring of high-profile men

A list of alleged perpetrators has been circulating online, with some names posted by individuals on social media.

It has also been suggested that Guernsey Police had requested assistance from a UK force.

‘Claims of such a group committing offences against children are unfounded, and there is no current evidence that we are aware of to support such a claim,’ police said, in a statement released late yesterday.

‘None of the individuals on a list we understand is being shared are currently being investigated by police.

‘However, two of the people named have previously been investigated and charged with sexual offences relating to children.

'Their cases are going through the courts and have already been publicised by the media.

‘There is no evidence to suggest these two cases are linked.

‘A UK force has not been asked to come to Guernsey to investigate these allegations, and there are no plans, nor any requirement, for one to do so.’

Police dismissed a linked claim that they had received a letter, described on social media as a suicide note, relating to the allegations.

They also said that the appearance in court yesterday of a long-serving prison officer on unrelated offences was an entirely separate matter.

‘Misinformation can undermine trust and confidence in policing and jeopardise any subsequent investigation,’ they added

‘More importantly it can have a significant impact on safeguarding and wellbeing for individuals named erroneously.’

The police statement said that the force took sexual offences against children extremely seriously, and encouraged anyone with any evidence to contact them.