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Version 7 Version 8
Disturbance spreads at HMP Birmingham Disturbance spreads at HMP Birmingham
(about 1 hour later)
A riot involving hundreds of inmates has broken out at a prison after keys were reportedly taken from a member of staff. Hundreds of inmates have been rioting at a prison after keys were reportedly taken from a member of staff.
Trouble flared at privately-run HMP Birmingham after a prison officer was "rushed" by inmates.Trouble flared at privately-run HMP Birmingham after a prison officer was "rushed" by inmates.
Specialist Tornado riot teams have been dispatched to the category B jail, which houses 1,450 prisoners. The BBC has been contacted by several men claiming to be prisoners at the jail who said poor conditions were behind the disturbance.
G4S said the Prison Service had taken over the response due to the scale of the incident.G4S said the Prison Service had taken over the response due to the scale of the incident.
Specialist Tornado riot teams were dispatched to the category B jail, which houses 1,450 prisoners.
Live: Latest on the prison disturbanceLive: Latest on the prison disturbance
Unverified photos purporting to show scenes from the disturbance have been circulated on social media.Unverified photos purporting to show scenes from the disturbance have been circulated on social media.
In one picture, two men can be seen wearing riot helmets and gesturing towards the camera.In one picture, two men can be seen wearing riot helmets and gesturing towards the camera.
The men who said they were calling the BBC from inside the jail cited inadequate staff numbers, poor healthcare and nutrition, and being on "lockdown" in their cells all day as major factors that contributed to the trouble.
Prisoner Andrew Nicholls, who was released on Friday described the condition he experienced while serving his sentence.
"There's no staff, too much Mamba, [a psychoactive drug] and people are dying.
"I've seen someone hang themselves outside my cell. It's terrible - 24-hour lock-up most times. There's two officers for four floors."
Officers initially withdrew from two wings - which included some administrative offices - on Friday morning. G4S confirmed the incident later spread to two further wings.Officers initially withdrew from two wings - which included some administrative offices - on Friday morning. G4S confirmed the incident later spread to two further wings.
Jerry Petherick, managing director for G4S custodial and detention services, said West Midlands Police helicopter was also in attendance.
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. All staff are accounted for.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.
Alex Cavendish, a former prisoner who is now a prison and crime affairs academic, said trouble flared when lights were broken and inmates took control of 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 control of 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.
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.
Jerry Petherick, managing director for G4S custodial and detention services, said West Midlands Police helicopter was also in attendance.
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 Police quashed rumours that offenders had keys giving access to residential areas and that offenders had occupied some blocks and exercise facilities.West Midlands Police quashed rumours that offenders had keys giving access to residential areas and that offenders had occupied some blocks and exercise facilities.
"No keys to perimeter access points were taken," a spokesman said."No keys to perimeter access points were taken," a spokesman said.
From the scene: BBC News reporter Nicola Beckford From the scene: BBC News reporter Ben Godfrey
There is clearly something pretty serious going on inside the jail. I have seen a number of vehicles going inside - at least four ambulances and a fire engine. It is clear the prison is in the grip of a major riot.
We've been talking to prisoners we have seen coming out of the prison and a man waiting for his son. In the last 30 minutes, I have seen six to eight prison vans pull round the side of the building. Could this be the end of the trouble?
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. There have been a number of vehicles going inside this afternoon and in the last 30 minutes, I have seen six to eight prison vans pull round the side of the building.
I have been speaking to prisoners coming out of the jail who said poor conditions inside the jail have fuelled the build up to the disturbance.
One man waiting for his son earlier told my colleague, the 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.
All staff have been accounted for but we are yet get any confirmed reports on any injuries.All staff have been accounted for but we are yet get any confirmed reports on any injuries.
About 15 people carrying kit bags and wearing G4S boiler suits were seen going into the the prison on Friday afternoon.About 15 people carrying kit bags and wearing G4S boiler suits were seen going into the the prison on Friday afternoon.
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 09:00 GMT 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".