Please be aware we’re making some improvements and building a new website. You can still report incidents, tell us about general intelligence or talk to us on live chat on this site. Thanks for your patience.

Court security

Dated: 1 November 2021

POLICY TITLE: Court Security

OWNING DIRECTORATE: Crime and Criminal Justice

AUTHOR: Head of Criminal Justice and Victim Services

CONTACT DETAILS: 101

EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT: Complete

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AIM OF POLICY: To ensure that staff and members of the public are aware of the policy in relation to the provision of security within courts.

BENEFIT OF POLICY: Ensures clarity of obligations in relation to court security.

REASON FOR POLICY: Northumbria Police acknowledges its positive duty to protect life under the Human Rights Act 1998, Article 2, and this duty includes all Northumbria Police staff and police officers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crown and Magistrates' Courts have their own staff to provide security. Northumbria Police will not routinely provide a police presence in courts to deal with such issues.

However, Northumbria Police acknowledges its duty under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Human Rights Act 1998 to protect life. Where risk assessment indicates a police presence may be necessary to fulfil this duty, where it is specifically requested by a judge or where it is necessary to react to specific circumstances, an appropriate police response will be provided.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE DOCUMENT: N/a

GROUPS AFFECTED: All staff

ACCESS AND DISCLOSURE RESTRICTIONS: None

back to top