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'Disturbance' reported at HMP Birmingham Disturbance 'spreads' 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Prison staff have withdrawn from two wings at HMP Birmingham after prison keys were stolen when an officer was "rushed" by inmates. A disturbance at HMP Birmingham has spread to four wings of the prison, the BBC understands.
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. Trouble flared when staff prison keys were stolen when an officer was "rushed" by inmates.
G4S, which runs the prison, said that a "low-level incident" was taking place. All staff are accounted for. It is understood that extra staff have been sent in along with a specialist "Tornado" team of riot officers.
The Category B prison, formerly known as Winson Green, holds 1,450 inmates. G4S, which runs the prison, said a "low-level incident" was taking place. The Category B prison, formerly known as Winson Green, holds 1,450 inmates.
Officers initially withdrew from two wings at the jail on Friday morning, but there are now reports the incident has spread to two further wings.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the site in Winson Green Road at about 12:25 GMT and at least four ambulances are at the scene.West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the site in Winson Green Road at about 12:25 GMT and at least four ambulances are at the scene.
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 staff are accounted for.
More stories from BirminghamMore stories from Birmingham
Alex Cavendish, a former prisoner who is now a prison and crime affairs academic, said trouble flared when lights were broken and inmates took controlled fire hoses.Alex Cavendish, a former prisoner who is now a prison and crime affairs academic, said trouble flared when lights were broken and inmates took controlled fire hoses.
Officers then started locking prisoners in their cells, but one officer was threatened with a used syringe and another prisoner "came up behind him and snatched the keys from his belt".Officers then started locking prisoners in their cells, but one officer was threatened with a used syringe and another prisoner "came up behind him and snatched the keys from his belt".
Staff then "withdraw to a place of safety", abandoning the wing, as they are directed to do in such situations.Staff then "withdraw to a place of safety", abandoning the wing, as they are directed to do in such situations.
He described the incident as "probably most serious riot in a B category prison since Strangeways went up" in 1990.He described the incident as "probably most serious riot in a B category prison since Strangeways went up" in 1990.
'Safe conclusion' From the scene: BBC News reporter Nicola Beckford
There is clearly something pretty serious going on inside the jail. I have been here all morning and seen a number of vehicles going inside - at least four ambulances and a fire engine.
We've been talking to prisoners we have seen coming out of the prison and a man waiting for his son.
He told me that a riot started because of a lack of hot water for inmates. A prison officer was called to the scene and he was threatened with a syringe and his keys stolen which ultimately led to a full scale riot.
G4S say it is working with the Ministry of Justice to bring the situation to a conclusion. All staff have been accounted for but we are yet get any confirmed reports on any injuries.
He said he was getting reports of one badly injured prisoner, inmates getting into the offender management unit (OMU) and destroying records and the prison gym being invaded,He said he was getting reports of one badly injured prisoner, inmates getting into the offender management unit (OMU) and destroying records and the prison gym being invaded,
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.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.
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 09:00 GMT 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.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".He said the incident "is another stark warning to the Ministry of Justice [MoJ] that the service is in crisis".