It's been a long time in coming, but the 136-year-old Magistrates' Court will soon be on par with the rest of the world as far as security goes.

Senior Court Administrator, Tracey Kelley said last week that tenders had been invited from various parties to renovate the front entrance of the Magistrates' Court and to install various security measures.

These, he said, would include security guards as well as detection measures for weapons and contraband.

"Following various incidents at the court over the past few years, we felt it was necessary to upgrade the building," he said.

One such incident last year saw a man smuggling a machete into court. He produced the weapon as he was being led to the holding cells after being sentenced to jail for assault.

The decision to renovate the entrance and install security measures could possibly stem directly from that incident, as Magistrate Carlisle Greaves was angry about the breach of security at the time and insisted that Police sit down and discuss ways in which to upgrade security at the old Court building.

Police have also had their hands full at times when defendants attempt to escape.

Mr. Kelley said he expected renovations to begin sometime after April.

Just for interest the Magistrates' Court was constructed in 1869 as the General Post Office, surveyors office and telegraph office.