WEAPONS, booze and drugs are among dozens of items being seized by security at Barrow's court.

More than 1,100 items of contraband have been confiscated by security staff at the town's magistrates' court since 2013, according to data obtained by The Mail.

Figures show that defendants and other court visitors are also trying to bring in recording devices, 'protest materials' and glass bottles into the building.

Everyone who enters the court in Abbey Road has to pass through a metal detector and can be searched by security staff. 

That data, obtained under freedom of information laws, showed there had been 98 knives seized at the court since 2013.

That includes two knives with blades over three inches, with one of them seized in 2021/22.

Alcohol has been seized 261 times since 2013, including eight times last year.

Drugs have been seized twice, both times last year.

A total of 94 items were seized in 2021/22, with the justice system still getting back up to speed after lockdown. 

The worst year for seizures was 2018/19, when security confiscated 212 items.

Other items seized include tools, cutlery, umbrellas and other sharp objects.

All knives or blades are seized regardless of size or type.

Knives over three inches or other illegal blades are confiscated and reported to the police. 

Drugs as well as any other item that may be considered an offensive weapon are also reported.

A spokesman for Ministry of Justice said: "Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service takes the issue of security within courts and tribunals extremely seriously and have 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 our court and tribunal buildings.

"There are proportionate and robust search on entry procedures in place and these are primarily focused on weapons of concern.

"Our security system is continually monitored to ensure that it is effective and proportionate and mitigates against the risks faced.

"The safety and security of court users and staff is our first priority."