Cells at the Newcastle Magistrates’ Court have failed a fire risk assessment, and the court could be closed as a result, according to the Chronicle.
An alarming five out of the 13 cells at one of the region’s most active courts have been deemed to be not fire safe, and a review by HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) could result in the court being closed. The problems in the five cells are said to be structural, and they cannot be made safe.
There are now fears of increased pressure on other magistrates’ courts in the region after a number of closures in the North East — implemented to cut costs.
Northumbria Police Chief Inspector Sean Mckenna told the Chronicle why the cells failed the fire risk assessment:
There are structural issues with the layout of the cell complex which does not meet modern requirements. This is not a maintenance issue and it cannot be remedied in this building. Discussions are under way with all parties to look at future court cell provision.
In the meantime Northumbria Police has been in discussion with HM Courts & Tribunals Service to ensure that the cell accommodation is used to optimum capacity to ensure the Magistrates’ Court is able to function effectively.
The five unsafe cells are currently not in use. “We are working with the police and Prison Escort Custody Services to ensure the smooth running of the court using the remaining cells,” a HMCTS spokesman told the newspaper. “We are currently reviewing the position in relation to the substandard cells.”
Firefighter guidance
This month, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) published a generic risk assessment for fighting fires in places of lawful detention. It recognised that there are particular dangers unique to fighting fires in a court, prison, or police station. For example, the use of self-locking doors is quite common, while there is also the possibility of unpredictable and disruptive behaviour from detainees that fire and rescue officers may be trying to rescue. Roofs, walls, and other structures may be protected with razor wire.
It is not clear whether the Newcastle court failed a risk assessment specifically in relation to a fire service’s ability to access the cells, though this would back up the claim that the problem was structural and could not be fixed.
The DCLG guidance states:
Operational risk assessments for places of lawful detention must be as comprehensive and detailed as possible. As layout will vary significantly from one establishment to another, it is important and necessary for the details of each operational plan to be determined by the Fire and Rescue Authority with regards to local circumstances and after full consultation with the relevant authority.
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- Prison fire highlights conflict of security and safety
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