Old Bailey closes for hi-tech refit

The refit will give better protection for witnesses

The Old Bailey closes on Monday for a month as part of a £5.4m refurbishment to let more witnesses and defendants appear by video link.

Other crown courts in London will take on its workload while a major refit takes place which aims to give better protection for vulnerable witnesses and jurors.

The changes will include a new suite for witnesses to wait in away from other court users before they give evidence.

It will have 10 rooms from which young or vulnerable witnesses can give evidence by live video link to any of the 18 courtrooms.

Other rooms for jurors will be refurbished, extended and equipped with a security entry system to reduce the risk of jury "nobbling".

And to reduce the cost of transporting prisoners to jail, and the risk of escape, video technology will be installed in courtrooms to allow defendants in custody to appear at preliminary hearings by video link from prison.

The changes are also designed to improve the all-round working of the Central Criminal Court including exchanging information about cases on a secure network.