POLICE have confirmed more than 10,000 forensic samples, including hundreds in North Yorkshire, are to be retested following allegations against some workers at a laboratory.

Two men were arrested and bailed earlier this year over allegations that 484 cases handled by Randox Testing Services (RTS) - a company which provides forensic toxicology investigation - were affected by what the National Police Chiefs’ Council called "data manipulation".

An investigation by the NPCC into the allegations identified more than 10,000 cases which "may have been affected", but said retests had so far found no impact on cases of sexual offence cases, violence or homicide. However, a number of retests had resulted in drug driving cases being discontinued and two road deaths had been referred to the Court of Appeal.

On Tuesday, North Yorkshire Police confirmed the number of local cases affected by the national Randox Testing Services investigation had risen from the initial estimate.

Assistant Chief Constable Phil Cain said: "A total of 493 local cases, mostly drug-driving motoring offences, will be retested over time in line with the national prioritization programme. To date, more than 70 samples identified as priority cases in North Yorkshire have already been submitted for testing. This is a serious and widespread issue that is being addressed at a national level, and we are doing absolutely everything we can locally to support that national effort."

Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan said the allegations were "one of the most serious issues I have come across during my five years in this role, with far reaching consequences both locally and nationally".

She said: "As Chair of the Local Criminal Justice Board, I am well-placed to continue to liaise with partners to seek reassurance that cases in North Yorkshire are prioritised appropriately and that as far as possible the impact is kept to a minimum. I also want to reassure the public that whilst there are a high number of cases involving North Yorkshire Police, this is because of the robust and proactive nature of roads policing in our county, which will continue. 

"With my national hat on, as the PCC lead for transparency and integrity, I am also reassured by the good work done to date in managing this very serious issue. As you can imagine, I will continue to keep a close eye on it, as we move forwards. However, the situation does raise many questions about the capacity of the ‘system’ and it is clear we all need to work together to deal with some of the issues exposed."

Five more men were interviewed under caution by Greater Manchester Police over the alleged manipulation by individuals working at a Randox Testing Services site in Manchester

Retesting is ongoing and expected to be completed by the middle of next year.