A THIEF managed to steal a sheriff’s wig from inside a courtroom as part of a spate of thefts committed by visitors to Scotland’s courts.

Criminals have snatched handbags, wallets and even computer equipment from courts across the Scotland, security officials have revealed.

According to documents released by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS), one criminal even managed to make off with a sheriff’s wig while attending Aberdeen Sheriff Court last year.

Court security officials said that thefts of cash totalling almost £200 were reported at Edinburgh and Hamilton sheriff courts, while one petty criminal pinched a waste bin while attending the sheriff court in Kilmarnock.

Other thefts included mobile phones, laptop chargers, a computer keyboard and mouse and a bicycle. One criminal even stooped as low as to steal a jar of coffee from Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Details of thefts across Scotland’s courts come just weeks after is was revealed that officials prevented a total of 10,046 weapons, including razor blades, syringes and screwdrivers, from being brought into courts across the country.

Security staff seized an arsenal of weapons, including almost 4,000 knives, from visitors to Scotland’s courts over the past three years.

Officials say that 20 incidents of theft on SCTS premises had been reported to them between 2014 and 2016.

The majority of incidents happened within Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where four people reported sums of money had been stolen, along with three handbags.

However, SCTS bosses say the true levels of crime being committed may be far higher, as many victims are believed to report thefts committed in court buildings directly to the police, rather than court security officials.

One Ayrshire-based court official, who asked not to be named, said: “A lot of habitual criminals will not suddenly decide to stop stealing when they enter a court building to face the consequences of their behaviour.

“The fact someone had the gall to steal a sheriff’s wig tells you everything you need to know about the mindset of some of these people.

“We know fine well which characters to keep an eye on, but things sometimes go missing all the same.

“My advice is to members of the public is to watch themselves if they need to attend court.

“It makes sense to remain vigilant at all times.

“Just because you’re sitting under the noses of security guards, police and sheriffs it does not mean that some people won’t give a second thought to trying to get their hands on your handbag or wallet.”

The SCTS said the wig stolen last year in Aberdeen had not yet been returned to its rightful owner.

A spokesman said: “Security within court buildings is very important to SCTS and any thefts are treated very seriously.

“However, the number of thefts, or items going missing, is low and we work hard with the police and our security contractors to ensure that remains the case.”