Southport Courthouse: Broken glass closes entrance to Gold Coast court

A projectile has closed Gold Coast’s Southport Courthouse for the morning, with some people told to go home for the day.

Southport Magistrates Courthouse wrapped in police tape.

A PROJECTILE has broken a window and damaged two more at the Gold Coast Courthouse.

Police are investigating after the broken top floor window was found this morning.

The building is expected to remain shut until at least midday after glass was “raining down” on the security station at the ground floor entrance.

Workers are preparing to abseil down the side of the Southport courthouse to board up the broken window on the top floor.

The glaziers will not fix the window completely but place a board over the broken window.

The window cannot be reached from inside as the area it is near is part of a floor to ceiling lobby.

Cleaners have also entered the building.

Southport police officer in charge of operations Senior Sergeant Brendan Wiblen confirmed police were investigating.

“Three windows have marks after being struck by a projectile,” he said.

Southport Courthouse was closed on Monday morning after a window was smashed on the top floor above the entrance.

Sen Sgt Wiblen said police did not know what type of projectile it was.

He said police at Southport police station did not hear any gunfire over the weekend.

Sen Sgt Wiblen said officers would be reviewing the CCTV.

Detectives were seen going into the courthouse earlier through a side door.

A courthouse officer made an announcement that all district court, court one magistrates court and children’s court matters would be adjourned for the day.

Authorities have placed police tape around the entrance to stop anyone from entering the building until it is fixed.

Crowds gathered outside Southport Courthouse after the building was closed by a smashed window overnight.

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Security and police have moved everyone waiting across the road, due to concerns the glass may continue to fall.

Cars parked on the street were also moved.

Gold Coast police prosecutions officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Graham Ruhle said there were concerns about safety.

“The window keeps raining glass on top of the security screen area,” he said.

Most people have left the court area now but a handful are waiting on the side of the footpath.

Earlier dozens of lawyers, defendants and members of the public were left waiting on the footpath outside the Southport Court for the building to open.

The Public Trustee on Nerang St, Southport was the second building to report damage to their windows.

A Southport Police spokeswoman confirmed the damage to the Bulletin.

“We are not sure how it was broken,” the spokeswoman said.

“It’s smashed and there is glass hanging from the edge.

“Court will not be opening until it’s replaced.”

Police are also at Trustee House on Nerang St after the Public Trustee reported a similar incident with broken windows.

However police have confirmed the broken court house windows are not related to the damage at the Public Trustee.