Airport-style scans to get into court

Tuesday 05 May 2015

A new airport-style security system costing thousands of pounds will be installed at the entrance to the Royal Court this summer to scan people before they get into the building.

The new scanner – which is apparently due to be installed by July – is part of a new tougher security set-up planned for the building, which houses the Royal Court and the States Chamber.

But one States Member has labelled the project “a spectacular waste of money” because the public will have to foot not just the cost of the equipment and its installation, but also the running costs of having to have a male and a female member of staff on hand at all times to do “pat down” searches.

Deputy Sam Mezec, a member of the Privileges and Procedures Committee responsible for States procedures and rules, said that some members of the committee had reservations about the move.

He said: “I consider it to be excessive and quite a waste of money, especially when all States departments are being asked to tighten their belts.

“I understand that perhaps something needs to be in place to make things a bit more secure, but the idea of a full Airport-style security system seems to me to be completely over the top.”

The creation of a new scanning system came to light because it was mentioned in the January minutes of the PPC Committee – but the minutes show that the project is already falling a bit behind a planned implementation date in March.

The minutes say: “After withstanding a number of delays to the project, the Chief Officer of the Bailiff’s Chambers anticipated that the enhanced security system would be active by March 2015.

“From thereon, visitors to the States Building would undergo a bag and person search before being admitted. Members and accredited users would continue to access the building through the Members’ entrance. The Chief Officer emphasised that the incoming security procedure was not intended to restrict Members’ use of the building, but rather to ensure their safety.”

The minutes recorded that when the committee expressed reservations, it was told that the previous incarnation that had been in office before the October elections had already been consulted on the move.