As a doctor who worked for Hampshire Police began a 15-year jail term for abusing three girls, Primecare, the agency that employed him, promised to tighten up its act.

A spokesman said: "We are now aware that police checks do not cover areas outside their boundary and that information about a doctor who may have been charged and acquitted in other areas is available only on enhanced CRB checks.We have begun to introduce checks of both new and current police surgeons."

Dr Robert Wells (52) worked for Primecare and had practised medicine for over 25 years. Wells was convicted at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday.

He was found guilty on two charges of raping an 11-year-old girl. He was also convicted of making an indecent photograph and three counts of indecent assault in relation to the same child.

He was also found guilty of drugging another 11-year-old girl and a five-year-old with intent to commit indecent assault. He was convicted on another charge of indecently assaulting the elder child.

Detective Inspector Sara Glen, who led the investigation, said: "It's an awful case." She has praised the strength of the children and the fact they told their parents of their ordeal promptly.

Assistant Chief Constable Colin Smith added: "I hope the victims and their families can now start rebuilding their lives in the knowledge that the man responsible for these evil acts and the consequences has been locked away."

The force is distancing itself from Wells. It is stressing he was not under its employ, but answered to Primecare.

Police said Wells started with Healthcare Medical in 1979, which later became Primecare. Also working as a private doctor, he served with them for 17 years.

He worked in South Wales, Croydon and Brighton, but was declared bankrupt in 1988, with debts of £1.5m resulting from failed deals and extravagant living.

In 1994, he was arrested by Sussex Police, accused of two indecent assaults on girls aged eight and 15. He was acquitted the following year. Police said that because he was not found guilty, the GMC decided he was still fit to practise. Wells, who was unmarried, returned to Primecare in 1999 and was hired out to West Midlands Police for 18 months.

He began working in Hampshire in October, 2001 and did so until his arrest in February, 2003. He was deployed to crash scenes, custody centres and assessed injuries. Most of his duties were in Winchester and Southampton.

Detectives spoke to every girl Wells examined without a third party being present during his 17-month tenure. Around 20 were interviewed, though none reported any improper behaviour.

The children Wells was convicted of abusing came into contact with him through a friend, and not work, police stressed. The constabulary was unaware of Wells' previous court appearances when he arrived in the county.

Mr Smith said the Criminal Records Bureau, which offers an enhanced vetting procedure, was only created the year after Wells was hired. Primecare currently has 23 forensic medical examiners in Hampshire, the post held by Wells, and 12 custody nurses. It has a further 73 staff attached to other police forces in Britain.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Wells refused to reveal where he lived and how to access his files. Detectives had to piece together evidence to identify his flat in Southampton. He also had a house in Hove and a mobile home.

Experts estimated it would take 20 years to beat the encryption on all the images thought to be on Wells's computer. "If there's anyone else who has been abused, we will investigate," added DI Glen.

Sentencing Wells, Judge Keith Cutler told him: "These convictions will send a shiver down the spine of many, now fearful that your examination of them, some vulnerable or abused, gave you some form of perverted pleasure that no doctor should enjoy. This behaviour is deeply disturbing and will no doubt have an impact on society's trust of the medical profession."

Wells had denied 11 charges: three rapes and three indecent assaults against one 11-year-old; against the sisters, Wells denied two indecent assaults, two counts of administering drugs and one of making an indecent photo. He was convicted of all but one of the rapes and indecent assault on the five-year-old.