Inquiry announced into Nazi concentration camps on Channel Island

It has been announced that the British Government will launch an investigation into the Nazi camps on Alderney.  

Alderney, one of the Channel Islands, is the only place on British soil where Nazi concentration camps were established. 

Two concentration camps were set up on the island, called Lager Sylt and Lager Helgoland; as well as two labour camps, called Lager Borkum and Lager Helgoland. 

The number of prisoners who died in the camps is unclear, with some estimates reaching into the thousands. Some researchers have suggested that the number of Jews who could be found in mass graves on the island could be up to 1,000.

Of the review, Lord Pickles, the British Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues, said: “The difference between the estimates is so large, I thought it sensible for everyone to put the facts on the table, for it all to be transparent and for the deliberations to be in the open. It seemed pointless people shouting across at each other. It would be better to have a proper discussion and to bring together a panel of international experts.”

Last year, the Government announced that it would make all records related to the Holocaust open to the public for the first time.