BRADFORD’S Coroner has condemned conditions for inquests held in the city as he lobbies for new premises.

The Coroner’s Court is situated in the magistrates’ court building at The Tyrls but Coroner Martin Fleming is unhappy that grieving relatives and friends have to be frisked by security staff on their way in to attend the hearings.

Ministry of Justice cutbacks also meant that the courts’ cafeteria has been shut down,

And the Coroner has described the waiting room for people attending inquests as “frankly a disgrace”.

Mr Fleming, who took up his role in December 2014, said he was now pressing to get improved facilities to “do justice for those who grieve”.

The cost of any move would have to be footed by Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees councils, which make up the West Yorkshire (Western Division) and fund the jurisdiction’s service.

The local authorities are legally obliged to provide accommodation and facilities to enable a coroner to do his job.

People enter the Coroner’s Court through a doorway on the first floor of the magistrates’ court building but, beforehand, they have to use the same entrance as others who are attending criminal courts.

“I don’t think the bereaved should be disadvantaged when they come to the Coroner’s Court bearing in mind what they are already having to cope with,” said Mr Fleming, who previously served as assistant coroner in Inner West London, Surrey, Liverpool, the Wirral and Sheffield,..

“They should not have to walk through the same entrance as the criminal court where suspected offenders go to find out their fate.

“My ambition is for separate premises where we can have facilities to do justice to those who grieve. We don’t want to add to their distress by poor facilities. Frankly our current waiting room at Bradford is a disgrace for families.

He added: “I have raised the need for new premises with the authorities.

“They are aware of my ambition but it’s no quick-fix. It wouldn’t be an easy process.

“There’s lots to take into account including municipal pride of the three authorities and logistics, spending taxpayers’ money and needing common agreement and co-operation from the councils and the Ministry of Justice.

“I’m a custodian of public money and that’s a heavy burden on me so it would have to be right, that’s why I’m not steaming into it. In the short term, we will have to do what we can to improve what we’ve got.

Mr Fleming said as part of plans in the pipeline he also wants to have his whole team of officers, all based at Trafalgar House police station in Bradford, to come under the same roof as the Coroner’s Court and the administration office.

“At the moment we’re fractured. I want us all under the same roof. That’s what I set out to do and want to do to get the best possible service for the area,” he said.

Mr Fleming stressed that despite his calls for separate and improved facilities he was grateful for use of part of the Ministry of Justice-run courts and for its support to work with him.

A Bradford Council spokesman, said: “The accommodation within the magistrates’ court is leased from the Ministry Of Justice, which has responsibility for the building.

“Local authority budgets have reduced substantially and will continue to reduce for the foreseeable future making judgements about where to devote resources extremely difficult.

“We have been in consultation with the Coroner over the past year, during which time options, that met the accommodation brief received from the Coroner, have been presented for his consideration and decision.

“We are supportive of relocation, recognising that the Coroner’s requirements have changed.

“We will work in partnership to progress the change in a timely manner with the Coroner and Kirklees and Calderdale Councils.

“Further discussions will take place with the Coroner on this matter.”

Even though Mr Fleming’s role, and that of his assistant coroners, are funded by the three local councils, they are still governed by the UK’s Chief Coroner and the Ministry of Justice.

The area’s ten coroners’ officers and one senior officer answer to the coroners’ despite the police paying their wages.

Most inquests are held in Bradford but some cases do take place at Halifax Town Hall and Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court.

A new compassionate service run by trained volunteers to help families get through the inquest experience has just started in the jurisdiction after Mr Fleming appealed for people to get involved with the initiative already running in different parts of the country and set up by London-based charity Coroners’ Courts Support Service (CCSS). He said he considers the scheme that will see volunteers helping greet relatives, explain procedure and protocol in court and provide a friendly face and emotional support, as the first stage of his transformation mission.

“Inside a coroner’s court can be a tinderbox of emotion so becoming a volunteer will only suit a certain type of people. We hope those people will be in touch. It’s a first step of improving the inquest experience. Our coroner’s officers are hardworking. The volunteers aren’t doing their job for them, it’s extra support. adding to how we can look after families and do our best for them.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can email info@ccsupport.org.uk