Civilian security company takes over NI courts contract

The Northern Ireland Court Service have placed a stg£2m contract with a private security company.

The company will now carry out many services previously provided by the police. Over 200 new recruits will be brought in to carry out a range of jobs in Northern Ireland courts, from the High Court down to the smallest magistrates courts. As well as providing security services the new team will also act as court orderlies and jury keepers in courts.

The transfer of the responsibility from the Police Service to a civilian contractor was one of the recommendations contained on the recently published Criminal Justice Review in the North.