FIREWORKS and a set of darts are among weapons seized at a court where security has been tightened after an incident in which a defendant produced a handgun.

More than 40 weapons have been confiscated at Harrogate Magistrates' Court since security guard patrols and electronic surveillance equipment was introduced at the courthouse.

The statistics emerged during the annual conference of the Association of Magisterial Officers (AMO) at the weekend, when a resolution was passed expressing anger at the lack of concern shown by the Government towards the rise in attacks on court staff, and calling for it to provide funding for security guards and equipment at all courts.

The plea was led by Andrew Barton, a legal advisor to magistrates in Harrogate and AMO councillor for Teesside and North Yorkshire.

He said: "Whether we realise it or not and whether the Government accepts it or not, we work in a potentially dangerous environment.''

Mr Barton said security had been improved at Harrogate after an incident in which a teenager pulled out a handgun in open court as he was about to be sentenced to six months' youth custody.

He was overpowered by Group 4 officers and court staff.

Mr Barton said: "Since proper security provision has been achieved at Harrogate, a total of 42 items has been removed from people entering the courthouse including penknives, a flick-knife, a chisel, a packet of Stanley knife blades, pairs of scissors, a set of darts and a bag of fireworks."

He called for a properly funded and organised security system, with trained staff in place at every court within 18 months.