HC Deb 22 May 2003 vol 405 c931W
Mr. Dodds

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is in relation to police officers being present in court while criminal proceedings are taking place. [114037]

Jane Kennedy

Currently, police attend magistrates' courts to look after prisoners and to produce them to the court. Where there is reason to believe that a breach of the peace is likely to take place, police may also perform duty in the courtroom. Administrative functions, such as acting as ushers, or jury keepers are no longer carried out by the police.