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The "unprecedented" major incidents at the end of 2022 were assigned a combined budget of more than £7 million last year – although the actual spend was much lower.
The latest annual police report showed that the total spend across both the L'Ecume fishing tragedy and the Pier Road explosion was more than £3 million in 2023, which was around £4 million under budget.
Over £7 million was set aside in the police budget last year for ongoing investigations as part of Operation Spire and Operation Nectar.
Operation Nectar is the investigation into the sinking of the L’Ecume II fishing trawler, whilst Operation Spire is the name for the investigation into the Pier Road explosion.
Addressing the notable difference between the budget and actual spend in the annual report, Police Authority Chair Simon Harman said that it is “very, very hard to predict what the costs of investigations like this will be”.
He explained that “a lot of additional resources have been needed”.
Mr Harman added: “Given the sensitivity and human effects, the first priority is to look after the victims and families and have a thorough investigation – the outcome is the most important thing and then the money comes in behind that.”
On 8 December 2022, the L’Ecume II fishing trawler sank following a collision with Condor’s Commodore Goodwill freight ship.
The incident resulted in the deaths of the trawler’s skipper, Michael Michieli, as well as crewmen Jervis Ramirez Baligat and Larry Simyunn.
Pictured: The L’Ecume II fishing trawler sank on 8 December 2022.
Within just a few months, the police investigation was handling than 165 hours of underwater CCTV footage alongside hundreds of lines of enquiry, documented items and material relating to the incident.
A file of evidence, which was previously described as "huge", was submitted to the Law Officers Department towards the end of last year.
The investigation into the Pier Road explosion has also been incredibly detailed, with 1,878 lines of enquiry, 1,078 statements taken, 1,787 exhibits collected and 6,526 documents generated for analysis.
The tragedy, which took place just two days after the L’Ecume II sinking, claimed the lives of ten islanders.
The explosion at Pier Road claimed the lives of ten Islanders in December 2022.
In April, Police Chief Robin Smith revealed that the force was “nearing the conclusion” of their investigation, and that the three suspects arrested last year in August on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter had been interviewed again.
A decision on charges is expected by the end of the year.
In the 2023 annual report, Mr Smith said that the "unprecedented" major incidents had tested the force's resources as well as its "resilience and resolve".
He continued: "As we entered the New Year, we were still very much in the early stages of our investigations into the devastating explosion at Haut du Mont and the tragic collision at sea involving L’Ecume II, both only within two days of each other in December 2022.
"Each incident requires a unique response from our officers and staff. The challenges of the past year have underscored the vital importance of collaboration, both within our organisation and with our many community partnerships."
Pictured: Police Chief Robin Smith said that the major incidents "underscored the vital importance of collaboration".
Mr Smith added: "Our colleagues throughout the other emergency services and numerous government agencies have also experienced their share of the pressures from the last 12 months and we remain grateful for the professional relationships we share.
"In the face of adversity, we have witnessed the incredible power of unity and cooperation, as we worked tirelessly to overcome many obstacles and address the needs of those affected by these tragedies."
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