Cheeky thief nicks Sheriff's handbag

Oct 2 2009 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

POLICE were yesterday hunting a brass-necked robber who stole a Sheriffs handbag from her private chambers at a busy court.

Sheriff Susan Sinclair had popped out of her chambers on court business for a short time when her bag, which is believed to have contained cash, house keys and other personal possessions, was swiped.

Now a major review of security measures at Paisley Sheriff Court is under way following the embarrassing theft.

One insider at the court, in St James Street, told the Paisley Daily Express: There were staff rushing about the building trying to find the sheriffs handbag after they were told it was missing.

You would have thought the crown jewels had been nicked.

I imagine Sheriff Sinclair will be fuming about what has happened.

The security people at the court must have red faces. Its amazing that a thief has been able to get into a sheriffs private chambers and steal her personal possessions.

There were plenty of security staff in the building at the time but that didnt stop this thief, who really must have some nerve.

Its believed that piles of court documents were also stored inside Sheriff Sinclairs chambers which are on one of the upper floors when the intruder got in, but that these were left untouched.

Yesterday, it was unclear how the thief got into the sheriffs room as the door is supposed to swing shut and automatically lock itself.

One source said: Its a bit of a mystery. Its possible that a plastic card was used to open the doors entry system and the police will be looking into that.

Although there are a number of security staff at the court and they have several CCTV cameras at their disposal, they cant keep an eye on every area of the building all of the time.

There are a number of CCTV screens they can monitor but they also have to deal with other duties, such as searching people when they come into the building.

The theft was discovered at around lunchtime on Wednesday and police were then informed.

Members of the security team, along with cops, were spotted carrying out a thorough search of rooms on different floors of the building.

Police forensic experts were also called to the court and they have been checking for clues.

The court insider added: Security staff were searching high and low for the sheriffs handbag. I also saw a number of people being quizzed as they left the building.

There are plenty of CCTV cameras at the court, including one close to Sheriff Sinclairs private room. That particular camera is the main one being checked by security staff and police officers.

I wouldnt be at all surprised if heads roll for this. Its being treated as a serious incident.

Last night, a police spokesman confirmed there had been an incidentat Paisley Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

He added: All I can say at this stage is that our inquiries are ongoing.