A leading forensic science firm, which is used by the UK police to help investigate major crimes, has paid a ransom to criminals after being targeted in a cyber attack, it is understood.

Eurofins Scientific, which is based in Belgium but has laboratories all over the world, was hit by a ransomware attack last month, which affected the firm's IT systems.

The National Crime Agency has been investigating the source of the attack, but sources claimed the company had already paid a ransom to recover its network.

It is not clear how much was paid and spokesman for the firm said: "With regards to any ransom payment we can't comment at the moment."

Eurofins, which helped catch the Babes in the Wood killer, Russell Bishop, accounts for more than half of the forensic science provision for UK forces.

Its scientists handle forensic evidence relating to around 70,000 criminal cases in the UK each year, carrying out DNA testing, toxicology analysis, firearms testing and other services.