HUNDREDS of knives, tools, cameras and alcoholic drinks were seized by security staff at East Lancashire courts in just one year, it has been revealed.

The items were confiscated from people entering magistrates’ courts in Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley, Reedley, Rawtenstall, as well as Burnley Crown Court in 2010/11.

The details, revealed to the Lancashire Telegraph under the Freedom of Information Act, show that a total of 1,588 items were seized.

Almost 1,000 items, including 39 knives, 124 tools, 66 cameras and nine alcoholic drinks were taken off people at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court alone.

In Accrington, 369 items, including one knife, were seized, while the 137 items at Burnley Crown Court included another seven blades.

Another two knives were among the 84 items taken off people at Burnley Magistrates’ Court.

In Rawtenstall, staff confiscated three knives along with 11 other items.

Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) said security guards, who searched people entering the courts, were told to seize any items which could be used as a weapon.

These can include aerosols, umbrellas and soft drinks cans.

A HMCTS spokesman said: “HMCTS takes the issue of security within courts extremely seriously and has a rigorous system in place, including mandatory bag searches, bag scanners, metal detectors and surveillance cameras, to ensure the safety of all court users.

“In accordance with the Courts Act 2003, a court security officer may request the surrender of articles if he or she reasonably believes that an article in the possession of a person in or seeking to enter the court may jeopardise the maintenance of order in the court building; may put the safety of any person in the court building at risk, or is evidence of, or in relation to an offence.”

Click on the link below for the full details of what has been confiscated at East Lancashire courts.