STATES members could be at risk from a serious security incident. One long-serving politician said he was unaware of any code of conduct should such an event occur.

‘I believe we can’t be too complacent,’ said Eric Walters.

‘Security has been improved around the courts but you never know in this day and age. The courts are wide open and anybody can come in. There are ways and means once you are in the building that people can go anywhere.’

He said it was time to be more vigilant.

‘There are always staff and cameras around and there is a good system, but whether it’s enough, I don’t know.’

A security scare erupted in the House of Commons on Wednesday when Prime Minister Tony Blair was pelted with flour-filled condoms by a protester in the VIP gallery. It led to widespread criticism that he and the Cabinet could have been wiped out if the attack had been by terrorists armed with anthrax or ricin.

‘You can’t be too careful. What happened in the House of Commons might seem like a prank but it just shows how vulnerable they are,’ said Deputy Walters.

‘Whether it’s the House of Commons or a smaller community like us, the same principles should apply as a safeguard. We have had disgruntled people in the past.’

But he stressed any new security measures required common sense.

‘Nobody wants to go overboard or be scaremongering but all it takes is a prankster to do a copycat job.’

Deputy Dave Jones said that he would welcome anything that improved security.

‘We don’t want to separate the government from the people but we have to be aware we live in dangerous times,’ he said.

Deputy Jones believed that security should be at a level to prevent people carrying anything into the States that could disrupt it or cause harm to anybody inside the chamber.

But he added: ‘I don’t want to see it go over the top.’

David Robilliard, the chief officer for the House Committee, said that as a matter of policy, such issues were not commented upon in detail, although security was reviewed regularly.

The new courts complex will have up-to-date security measures in place, said the Bailiff’s secretary, Tony Richings.

As far as the Royal Courthouse is concerned, responsibility for security issues, both in respect of sittings of the States and of the courts, rests with the office of Bailiff, in consultation with the Public Services Department.

Advice is also sought from the police chief.