We need some money put into court security as a matter of urgency and priority

Association of Magisterial Workers

A recent report by the Magistrates' Courts Inspectorate also raised questions about security, highlighting the lack of communication between agencies involved in the transport and treatment of prisoners.

Security inside courts is said to vary widely from building to building with new courts tending to have more sophisticated systems.

The two masked men who stormed the magistrate's court in Slough, Berkshire, and freed two remand prisoners, were armed with a pistol and a sawn-off shotgun.

It is understood there was no metal detector at the entrance of the court.

Thames Valley magistrates' courts committee has launched an investigation into the escape and police said there would be review of security at the court.

Danger zone

In an interview with BBC News 24 Rosie Eagleson, general secretary of the Association of Magisterial Workers, said Thursday's events brought into focus the increasingly dangerous circumstances in which court staff have to work.

She said :"There's a lot of sympathy but we're not getting much action at the moment. We need some money put into court security as a matter of urgency and priority."

According to the AMW, the union that represents court staff, at the heart of the problem is a lack of funding from the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Security at Slough courthouse is being reviewed

The AMW says money is needed for metal detectors to stop criminals bringing weapons into courtrooms.

Court security is currently managed by a number of magistrate court committees which either employ their own staff or contract the work out to private companies such as Premier Prison Services.

A recent audit of private security operators - responsible for transporting and guarding prisoners - showed that staff feared many courts were danger areas.

Magnetic screening

While some courts are equipped with screening in front of docks to separate prisoners from the public gallery others rely on manpower alone.

Security at court entrances also varies greatly, with newer courts tending to have magnetic screening detectors to check those coming in for hidden weapons.

Security work is often contracted out

Chief Inspector of the Magistrates' Courts Inspectorate, Kit Chivers, said those responsible for prisoners were not clear about their roles.

"There needs to be more communication between the agencies involved - the security operators, the magistrates' courts committees and the local authorities who own the buildings.

"Prisoners often arrive at prison too late or are kept waiting for too long because of a lack of coherence."

Miss Eagleson said she regretted the privatisation of court security which has led to "the loss of a police presence in court which people felt protected them from violence in the past".