Sheriff’s wig stolen as courts hit by crime spree

A SHERIFF’S wig taken from inside a courtroom is just part of the haul of items grabbed by visitors to Scottish courts.

Handbags, wallets, cash and even computer equipment have also been snatched, according to security officials.

Documents released by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) revealed that the sheriff’s wig was taken at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last year.

Cash totalling almost £200 was stolen from Edinburgh and Hamilton Sheriff Courts, while a waste bin was taken from the sheriff court in Kilmarnock.

Details of the thefts come just weeks after it was revealed officials prevented a total of 10,046 weapons, including almost 4,000 knives as well as razor blades, syringes and screwdrivers, from being brought into Scottish courts.

An Ayrshire-based court official, who asked not to be named, said: ‘A lot of habitual criminals will not suddenly decide to stop stealing when they enter a court building to face the consequences of their behaviour.’

Last night, an SCTS spokesman said: ‘Security within court buildings is very important to SCTS and any thefts are treated very seriously.’