AROUND 470 criminal cases in West Yorkshire which are relying on forensic evidence are hanging in the balance following a breach in standards at a forensics testing lab.

A joint statement from West Yorkshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner updated the public on the status of the police investigation into data manipulation at the Randox Testing Services lab, in Manchester.

It is believed that 10,000 potential cases of date manipulation have been identified.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Battle said: “There are around 470 cases within West Yorkshire, which are affected, mainly relating to road traffic offences.

“Of those around 50 have already been reviewed and there was no change to the criminal justice outcome in 24 of those cases. Thirteen others have been discontinued before a prosecution.

“A further 13, which all relate to drug or drink driving, either have an insufficient sample to complete a retest, or on retesting, show a result under the legal limit, in cases where a defendant had already been convicted.”

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, said: “The seriousness of the situation involving Randox Testing cannot be underestimated.

“As West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, I am working closely with my Chief Constable and West Yorkshire Police to ensure that we are doing everything we can to identify the most serious cases and we stand ready to support anybody potentially affected by this news.

“I know all agencies, including the National Police Chiefs Council, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, and many others are working together to ensure we can maintain and sustain the confidence the public have in our criminal justice system.

“Having a Criminal Justice System that is fair and transparent is paramount and we all need to collectively work together to ensure that remains the case and that we retain faith in our justice process.

“The developments in forensics has transformed the investigation of crime. Now working together we need to ensure essential forensic science work continues but with even stronger safeguards in place to ensure the integrity of data, that impacts on victims, witnesses and those accused of committing crimes, is never compromised.

“Given our investment locally in scientific support in West Yorkshire we are relatively good place but that clearly doesn’t take away from the fact that a small number of individuals at Randox Testing Services have created this extremely challenging situation.

All affected test results will be retested except a small minority where there isn’t a sufficient remaining sample size for retesting. Retesting is being prioritised with live cases and the most serious cases being retested first.

Two men have been arrested over the allegations and five interviewed under caution by Greater Manchester Police.