Courtrooms were locked down today when an apparently homeless man produced a knife near the entrance of Liverpool Crown Court .
The incident at the Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts in Derby Square, which also houses Liverpool Magistrates' and Youth Court, interrupted major cases, including a murder trial, as courtroom doors were locked according to security protocols.
According to witnesses, the man approached the metal detecting arches and refused to allow security staff to check him with a metal detecting wand.
The man then pulled a knife before being detained by security staff and plain clothes police officers.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "We have arrested a man following an incident at Liverpool Crown Court today, Thursday 28 November.
"At 10.40am, security and officers detained a man who had produced a knife in the foyer area after refusing a search. Nobody was injured.
"A 54-year-old man from Toxteth was arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article and has been taken to a police station for questioning."
Witness said the man is believed to be homeless.
