AN AVON and Somerset police chief has admitted "teething problems" after the force's forensic medical services were contracted out to a private firm.

The admission follows a list of complaints seen by the County Gazette, including: - Many of the firm's doctors are foreign with limited English; - Long delays in a doctor arriving to take a blood test from a suspected drink-driver held at Taunton Police Station; - Sexual crime victims in Taunton Deane having to travel to Exeter or Bristol for medical examination.

The allegations come after the service was taken over in May by West Yorkshire-based Veritas Management Ltd.

Asst Ch Con Jackie Roberts said: "Inevitably with a new contract of this kind there tend to be some teething problems.

"We're committed to working with Veritas and our partner forces to take whatever action appropriate to resolve any difficulties so a high-quality value for money service is maintained."

Veritas head of operations Gail Young said the company had worked with police forces for five years, and only recruited and trained highly qualified clinicians from the UK and abroad with the appropriate skills.

She said: "Following our initial implementation of the service we're very pleased to confirm there has been up to 60% improvement on existing response times since Veritas started this contract.

"Veritas is working closely with Avon and Somerset to develop services provided in relation to care of victims of sexual assaults and ensuring best practice in retrieving forensic evidence."

Taunton MP Jeremy Browne said: "It's important that the public has confidence in every aspect of the police's activity. Any complaints about specialist forensic work should be properly investigated to ensure that the police are operationally effective and to maintain public confidence."