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'Disturbance' reported at HMP Birmingham | 'Disturbance' reported at HMP Birmingham |
(35 minutes later) | |
Prison staff have withdrawn from two wings at HMP Birmingham after prison keys were stolen when an officer was "rushed" by inmates. | Prison staff have withdrawn from two wings at HMP Birmingham after prison keys were stolen when an officer was "rushed" by inmates. |
It is understood that extra staff are on their way to reinforce prison staff and a specialist "Tornado" team of riot officers will be sent in. | |
G4S, which runs the prison, said that a "low-level incident" was taking place. | G4S, which runs the prison, said that a "low-level incident" was taking place. |
The Category B prison, formerly known as Winson Green, holds 1,450 inmates. | The Category B prison, formerly known as Winson Green, holds 1,450 inmates. |
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the site at about 12:25 GMT. | |
It is understood the disturbance centres on wings N and P, which hold 250 prisoners, and both have been sealed off. | It is understood the disturbance centres on wings N and P, which hold 250 prisoners, and both have been sealed off. |
All prisoners who are not on the affected wings are believed to be back in their cells, with prison staff awaiting reinforcements before taking control of the other wings. | |
See more on the prison disturbance here | See more on the prison disturbance here |
A G4S spokeswoman said: "We are responding to an ongoing incident at HMP Birmingham this morning which began just after 9am involving two wings of the prison. | A G4S spokeswoman said: "We are responding to an ongoing incident at HMP Birmingham this morning which began just after 9am involving two wings of the prison. |
"We are in close contact with the National Offender Management Service, and are working with colleagues across the service to bring the incident to a safe conclusion." | "We are in close contact with the National Offender Management Service, and are working with colleagues across the service to bring the incident to a safe conclusion." |
A spokesman for the Prison Officers Association (POA) said no staff injuries had been reported. | |
He said the incident "is another stark warning to the Ministry of Justice [MoJ] that the service is in crisis". |