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| 15,429 weapons seized in English and Welsh courts in two years, figures show | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An astonishing arsenal of 15,429 knives, guns and other potential weapons has been seized by security staff in crown and magistrates courts in England and Wales in just over two years, the government has revealed. | An astonishing arsenal of 15,429 knives, guns and other potential weapons has been seized by security staff in crown and magistrates courts in England and Wales in just over two years, the government has revealed. |
| The total includes 41 firearms or replicas and nearly 5,400 knives as well as items such as syringes, tools, umbrellas, aerosols and cans, a list officials say is not exhaustive. | The total includes 41 firearms or replicas and nearly 5,400 knives as well as items such as syringes, tools, umbrellas, aerosols and cans, a list officials say is not exhaustive. |
| Confiscations in the year ending in March were more than twice as high as for the 14 months before. Magistrates said the figures reinforced the need for solid security arrangements and would be taking up the issue with the government. | Confiscations in the year ending in March were more than twice as high as for the 14 months before. Magistrates said the figures reinforced the need for solid security arrangements and would be taking up the issue with the government. |
| Sadiq Khan, shadow justice secretary, who obtained the figures via a parliamentary question, said: “It is staggering that the number of offensive weapons in our courts has doubled in just one year. Under David Cameron our justice system is in crisis, and is increasingly violent and dangerous for staff and court users alike. Much more needs to be done to stop weapons being brought into our courts as well as protecting our hard working staff.” | Sadiq Khan, shadow justice secretary, who obtained the figures via a parliamentary question, said: “It is staggering that the number of offensive weapons in our courts has doubled in just one year. Under David Cameron our justice system is in crisis, and is increasingly violent and dangerous for staff and court users alike. Much more needs to be done to stop weapons being brought into our courts as well as protecting our hard working staff.” |
| The figures were given in a written parliamentary answer which showed 705 knives were seized at crown courts and a further 3,108 at magistrates courts in the financial year 2013/14. The comparable figure for the previous 14 months were 322 and 1,252. When it came to firearms or replicas, seven were seized at crown courts and 24 at magistrates courts in 2013/14, up from six and 14. When it came to “other weapons” , the more recent statistics showed 1,002 found at crown courts and 6,418 at magistrates’ courts, up from 246 and 2,325. | The figures were given in a written parliamentary answer which showed 705 knives were seized at crown courts and a further 3,108 at magistrates courts in the financial year 2013/14. The comparable figure for the previous 14 months were 322 and 1,252. When it came to firearms or replicas, seven were seized at crown courts and 24 at magistrates courts in 2013/14, up from six and 14. When it came to “other weapons” , the more recent statistics showed 1,002 found at crown courts and 6,418 at magistrates’ courts, up from 246 and 2,325. |
| Khan told the Guardian: “A clear message has not been sent that security within courts is taken extremely seriously. We need security and safety systems to protect all court users and the judiciary. We aren’t told how many successful prosecutions have been brought as a result of bringing weapons into court, which begs more questions.” | Khan told the Guardian: “A clear message has not been sent that security within courts is taken extremely seriously. We need security and safety systems to protect all court users and the judiciary. We aren’t told how many successful prosecutions have been brought as a result of bringing weapons into court, which begs more questions.” |
| Shailesh Vara, minister for the courts and legal aid at the Ministry of Justice, said his department took “the issue of security within courts extremely seriously and had a robust security and safety system to protect all court users and the judiciary”. | Shailesh Vara, minister for the courts and legal aid at the Ministry of Justice, said his department took “the issue of security within courts extremely seriously and had a robust security and safety system to protect all court users and the judiciary”. |
| The system included mandatory bag searches, metal detectors and surveillance cameras, as well as court security officers who had powers to protect all those in the court building, said Vara. “The powers of a court security officer includes the power to request the surrender of a prohibited item or, if the request is refused, to seize the item.” | The system included mandatory bag searches, metal detectors and surveillance cameras, as well as court security officers who had powers to protect all those in the court building, said Vara. “The powers of a court security officer includes the power to request the surrender of a prohibited item or, if the request is refused, to seize the item.” |
| The Courts and Tribunals Service said: “Court security officers do not have powers of arrest. If an item is illegal the court security officer will confiscate it and call the police who will decide whether to arrest the court user. Such items will be passed on to the police. | The Courts and Tribunals Service said: “Court security officers do not have powers of arrest. If an item is illegal the court security officer will confiscate it and call the police who will decide whether to arrest the court user. Such items will be passed on to the police. |
| “The increase in confiscations between 2012/13 and 2013/14 may be due to a number of factors including volumes and types of cases, numbers of visitors, enhanced security equipment and regular reviews of … training and security procedures.” | “The increase in confiscations between 2012/13 and 2013/14 may be due to a number of factors including volumes and types of cases, numbers of visitors, enhanced security equipment and regular reviews of … training and security procedures.” |
| Richard Monkhouse, chairman of the Magistrates’ Association, said: “The numbers may seem high but that’s only because security staff have intercepted the weapons before they enter court. If anything, that is good news and reinforces the clear need for solid security arrangements for magistrates. That’s not to say more should not be done. Our members are not shrinking violets but they do deserve and expect appropriate security to provide safe environments to do their job.” | Richard Monkhouse, chairman of the Magistrates’ Association, said: “The numbers may seem high but that’s only because security staff have intercepted the weapons before they enter court. If anything, that is good news and reinforces the clear need for solid security arrangements for magistrates. That’s not to say more should not be done. Our members are not shrinking violets but they do deserve and expect appropriate security to provide safe environments to do their job.” |