Leading AM condemns loss of Forensic Science Service in Wales

5.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 26th Jun 2009

Mike German AM, demands to see the evidence for the closure of the forensic science laboratory in Chepstow. The Lib Dem Assembly member spoke out against the plans to close the only public service facility in Wales.

"This is a body blow to the dedicated and skilled staff working in the forensic science laboratory," said Mr German. "I have visited the lab at Chepstow myself and am aware of the excellent work being done there in helping the police solve crime. This leaves no public service forensic provider in the whole of Wales with the remaining labs in the east and north of England. I would like to see the criteria on which this decision was taken being made available for public scrutiny.

"It is all very well for the Forensic Science Service (FSS) to say they want to "increase efficiency and reshape the business to meet the challenges of the emerging forensic marketplace"; but the suspicion is that this is preparing the service to be sold off to the highest bidder in the future. This would be a crime in itself with the perpetrators being the government in the shape of Home Office."

Local Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate and local Chepstow councillor, Phil Hobson, also commented "Chepstow people are proud to have the only forensic laboratory in Wales in their town. The 171 people who work there are skilled people, whose expertise may be lost to Wales and the South West if there are compulsory redundancies or forced relocations."

"Everybody in Chepstow knows someone who works in the forensic lab," said Lib Dem councillor, Jacqui Sullivan. These plans affect the whole of Chepstow and the surrounding area. I urge the government to look again at this decision."