SCOTTISH judges and sheriffs want security measures increased in courts because they fear being attacked.
A survey of law officers found many are concerned about levels of protection in courtrooms.
Among fears they highlighted was the small stature of some security officers who are handcuffed to convicts during court hearings.
They are worried the custody officers would be unable to tackle larger prisoners if trouble flared.
The law officers are calling for tighter security in a bid to stop violent outbursts by criminals appearing in the dock.
Their warning comes a week after a protester breached security at the Leveson Inquiry to berate former Prime Minister Tony Blair over the Iraq war.
It came in the first-ever survey by the Scottish Court Service on the views of judges and sheriffs on their work.
Suggestions for improved security included screening of people entering courts to be put in place at all times, separate entrances and toilets for judges and sheriffs and more police officers in court.
The report reads: "Twenty-four respondents commented on security issues in courts.
"Thirteen respondents alluded to the risks to the personal safety of judicial office holders when having to walk through public areas to get to their courts or chambers.
"Eight respondents referred to security issues in court buildings, including one who requested security screening be installed and another who requested that security screening be used throughout the day, not only at peak times.
"Other comments included a need to retain bar officers in court to increase security; inadequate security of chambers when the judicial office holder was in court; a need for better separation of different groups of court users when they are waiting in court; a need for more frequent checks of toilets; and too few staff in courts to keep good public order."
The report went on: "Twelve respondents commented on the need for improved or more regular police or other security presence in courtrooms.
"Specific comments included the occasional absence of court officers and police from court, the diminutive stature of some security officers who are with the accused in the dock, and the need for a regular police presence in JP courts."
In 2008 racist killer Michael Ross tried to flee the High Court in Glasgow after being found guilty of the murder of waiter Shamsudden Mahmood.
The Army sniper vaulted over the dock and raced through a side door with police in pursuit. He was tackled to the ground by a court official before he could escape into the streets.
The survey also saw five judicial officers admit to suffering stress due to heavy workload.
A Scottish Court Service spokesman said: "The SCS Board welcomes the responses given as part of the first-ever judicial survey commissioned on the views of members of the judiciary about the support provided by the SCS.
"The SCS considers security for judicial staff and all court users on all SCS property with the utmost importance and of paramount concern.
"The SCS has a dedicated Health, Safety and Security Committee, which includes a judicial member, and keeps security issues under constant review.
"Overall the survey found a large number of respondents were satisfied with the support provided by the SCS but any areas for improvement highlighted within the survey will be considered, including any concerns over security."
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article