Knives, Taser found at courts

A Taser disguised as a torch, an extendable baton and a ninja credit card tool are among items seized by Auckland’s court security officers.

Records released to Stuff under the Official Information Act showed that from March 2016 to September 2017, people heading into Auckland’s courts brought along multi tools, kirpan ceremonial daggers, screwdrivers, knitting needles, helmets, umbrellas, and a spring-loaded knife.

Some of these items were considered potential weapons while other objects had been deemed a criminal offence by police.

Court security officers have the power to ask for identification, search, detain and deny a person entry to the courts, as well as examine, seize and take items into temporary custody.

Items that could be a potential weapon but were not considered a criminal offence were taken into temporary custody and later returned to the owner while objects classified as prohibited offensive weapons were seized and given to police.

People who brought along items that were considered a criminal offence were also detained.

At 178, items classified as ‘‘other’’ were the most popular things taken into temporary custody followed by 159 pocket knives and 131 pairs of scissors.

‘‘Other’’ items were things such as knitting needles, motorcycle helmets and umbrellas.

From March 2016 to September 2017 the Auckland District Court seized 17 weapons. An extendable baton, 10 credit card knives and a lock blade knife were some of the items seized by officers.

The High Court in Auckland seized a Taser disguised as a torch.

The most objects taken into temporary custody at the Auckland District Court and at the High Court in Auckland was in May 2017; 119 items were taken at the Auckland District Court in May.

At the High Court in Auckland 26 items were taken by court security officers – pocket knives were the most popular things in temporary custody.

At larger New Zealand courthouses, security screenings such as X-ray baggage units and hand-held scanners were conducted fulltime while smaller courthouses operated on an ‘‘asneeded basis’’.