Taking weapons to court hits shock high

Violent thugs are taking deadly weapons into courts to protect themselves from rival gangs.

Shock new figures have revealed the number of knives, guns and other dangerous items being seized by court staff has almost doubled in the past two years.

Critics warn that court closures are to blame, because having fewer courtrooms has made it harder to keep criminal gangs apart when they attend trials.

They claim it has led to gangs carrying weapons when they travel to other towns and cities for hearings, in case they should come into contact with rival thugs.

A spokesman for the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents court staff, said: “We believe one of the reasons for an increase in violent incidents and weapons seizures is the closure of courts as a result of the Government’s spending cuts.

“One effect of this is that in big cities it has made it more difficult to keep gang-related defendants apart, so there is more crossing over into ‘rival’ areas.

“Courts are becoming increasingly dangerous places to be around as the Government presses ahead with closing courthouses, and we fear for the safety and security of staff and the public.”

In the 12 months to February 2013, 143,198 banned items were seized by court staff, including 6,869 knives, 21 guns, 64 replica firearms and 13,328 tools.

But in the same period a year later, 265,618 seizures were made.

Among them were 10,759 knives, 28 guns, 52 replica firearms and 27,324 tools.

Sadiq Khan, Labour’s shadow justice secretary, said the figures showed the importance of having enough staff to protect courts.

He said: “With Government cuts there’s a fear more of these dangerous weapons could find their way into courts.

“Courts are about justice being done in an open and transparent manner, and shouldn’t be about violence and acts of criminality.

“Ministers need to reassure the public that courts won’t become increasingly dangerous places as a result of their cuts.”

In 2010 the Government announced it was to shut 93 magistrates’ courts and 49 county courts in a move which was estimated to save around £37m a year in running costs.

Then in March this year justice secretary Chris Grayling announced a £75m-a-year investment to modernise courts, which he claimed would help the Government save another £100m-a-year by 2020.

But it is understood the scheme will be partly funded by closing and selling off more courts.

A spokesman for HM Courts and Tribunals Service said: “We take the issue of security within courts extremely seriously and has a robust security and safety system to protect all court users and the judiciary.

“This system includes mandatory bag searches, metal detectors and surveillance cameras, as well as court security officers who have legislative powers to protect all those in the court building.

“The powers of the court security officers include the ability to restrain and remove people from the building should there be a need.”