Security staff at courts in Ipswich are asking visitors to sip drinks to prove they are not acid in a new crackdown following a series of attacks across the country.

Anyone arriving at Ipswich Crown Court in Russell Road or the town’s magistrates’ court in Elm Street with a bottle of drink with a broken seal, cups of tea or coffee, open cans and even bottles of baby milk are being requested to take a sip as they go through security checks at the public entrance.

The new rules apply to anyone entering the court including lawyers, jurors, defendants, witnesses, journalists and members of the public and are being ordered by the Ministry of Justice across the country following a spate of life-changing acid attacks.

The new safety measures came into force this week.

An HM Courts and Tribunals spokesman said: “We take the safety and security of court users and staff extremely seriously, which is why we’re bringing in enhanced safety measures across the court estate.

“We keep our security procedures under constant review, and will always take action where appropriate.”