CRACKING drug crime in Lancashire could be hit by the closure of the county’s forensic lab.
Leading figures at Lancashire Constabulary have voiced their concerns about the decision to axe the Forensic Science Service laboratory in Chorley.
Currently, detectives can take samples of suspected drugs seized from raids or crime scenes to be examined straight away.
The ‘while-you-wait’ process means police can often get confirmation of a substance the same day and make immediate arrests.
However, the FSS announced the closure of its Washington Hall base in Euxton, from early 2011, with the loss of 200 jobs.
That means the nearest lab will be 80 miles away, near Leeds.
Kath Mashiter, Head of Scientific Support at Lancashire Constabulary, said: “There are concerns surrounding the closure of the Forensic Science Service in Chorley, particularly in relation to how an urgent service may be provided given that the nearest FSS laboratory will be either Wetherby or Birmingham as of March 2011.
“However, discussions with the FSS are ongoing to try and establish how such concerns may be addressed.”
Contractually, the FSS has to provide a scientist to a Lancashire crime scene within four hours, but currently it is usually within an hour.
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