GWENT politicians are calling on the Home Secretary to keep the forensic science service in Chepstow from closure.

This comes after the threat of almost 200 jobs at the site was announced last month as part of "restructuring".

Now in a letter sent to the Home Secretary, the Home Affairs Select Committee said it fears responsiveness to major crime scenes is being sacrificed for profit.

A copy of this letter was given to the Argus exclusively by Monmouth MP David Davies.

Mr Davies said he wants as many people as possible to see it.

The letter was written to the Home Secretary Alan Johnson after the committee took oral evidence on the future of the Forensic Science Service in Chepstow on July 7 which Mr Davies chaired.

It urges Mr Johnson to maintain the Chepstow and Chorley sites, regulate the forensic services market better and to carry out an investigation into claims about some private sector firms.

The letter, written on behalf of the committee by its chairman Keith Vaz, said that closing all forensic science labs west of Birmingham will “seriously impair” the investigation of major crime scenes in areas such as Wales.

The committee also worries the proposal would harm the future of forensic science in the UK by making redundancies of around 40 per cent of workers and scaling back college and university courses in this subject.

The committee heard evidence claiming that some private sector forensic science laboratories “cherry pick” the more profitable areas of work.

Mr Vas said members also question whether private firms could match the performance of the FSS after a serious terror attack like the London bombings.

Mr Davies said he is very pleased with the letter.

He said there is overwhelming evidence to show that this proposal is a “huge mistake”.

He said the move would bound to have a impact on crime, particularly in Wales.

Mr Davies said the Home Secretary confirmed that he has the power to withdraw the decision if he wishes and Mr Davies is calling on him to do so.

Mr Davies will be visiting the FSS site in Chepstow this morning with Newport East MP Jessica Morden, South Wales East AM William Graham and Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay.

Ms Morden said she hopes the whole issue will be reviewed by the Home Secretary and for him to go and visit the sites so he can understand the quality of the work there.

An Assembly spokesman said the First Minister Rhodri Morgan has already discussed the FSS announcement with the Secretary of State for Wales who will be raising it with the Home Secretary.

Excerpts from the letter to home secretary Alan Johnson from Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz

On 7 July the Home Affairs Select Committee took oral evidence on the future of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) in the light of its recently announced "restructuring". It is clear from the evidence we have received that there is considerable concern about the Forensic Science Service's proposals...

...we fear that responsiveness to major crime scenes is being sacrificed for profit. We believe that the proposed closure... will seriously impair the investigation of major crime scenes in areas such as Wales...and we worry that the future of forensic science in this country will be harmed by redundancies.

We also suggest that these proposed redundancies are the result of inadequate regulation in the market for forensic services...we are deeply concerned that the FSS has in effect been hamstrung by the terms under which it is forced to compete.

We have heard evidence that private sector forensic science laboratories specialise only in certain areas of examination and "cherry pick" the more profitable areas of work. This is not an option which is available to the Forensic Science Service...

...we have heard disturbing evidence that private sector firms "are spending a set amount of time on it [analysis] now and if a match is not found within that set amount of time then it is reported back to the police as no match". We also question whether private sector firms would be able to match the performance of the FSS after a terrorism attack similar to the London bombings on 7 July 2005.

If the Forensic Science Service is to compete it must be allowed to compete on level terms...

...we urge you to act on our recommendations that:

  • Alternatives to the Forensic Science Service's proposed "restructuring" be considered and the laboratories in Chepstow and Chorley are maintained;
  • Better regulation of the market is needed if FSS is to compete on a level playing field; and
  • An investigation is immediately carried out into claims that some private sector firms do not undertake a full forensic analysis if the work proves too expensive.

We request you to do everything within your power to guarantee the continued high quality of service which the FSS provides and act to maintain the high standard of forensic science in this country.