A large array of knives, scissors and other items were detected by security staff on people going into the court.

The items, including a flick knife and cap guns, have been found since September 7.

Albury’s senior Sheriff’s officer, Sgt Pia Laari, said in some instances in the past knives have been returned to people, like farmers, who have inadvertently had them with them.

But in recent times that had stopped with more publicity about the ban on carrying knives.

“It is amazing they are trying to bring things like these into a courthouse,” she said.

The confiscated items are destroyed after being held for three months.

She said anyone wanting their confiscated items back would be escorted to the police station.

That would almost certainly lead to a prosecution by police.

Sgt Laari said she understood women carrying scissors in their handbags.

But people must be more aware of restrictions on such items particularly with increased penalties for such offences introduced in Victoria recently.

The penalty for having a restricted item on court premises is a maximum fine of $11,000 or two years’ jail.

Interestingly there is little security at the major courts over the border in the North-East such as Wodonga, Wangaratta, Benalla and Shepparton.

Sgt Laari said in the past tradesmen have come to court with tools and spanners, but they have been given back when they left the courthouse.

The woman caught with a flick knife told security she used it to cut a child’s birthday cake.

Insp John Peirce said Albury police should be notified of such occurrences.

“We would like to be informed in relation to all people carrying knives or other cutting implements in a public place,” he said.

Insp Peirce said he found it difficult to imagine any circumstance for someone to carry a knife in a court office or court room.

He said people have to provide a legitimate reason for having such items in public otherwise they received an on-the-spot fine.

Editorial — page 14