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Riot officers called to disturbance at HMP Birmingham Riot officers called to disturbance at Birmingham prison
(35 minutes later)
Riot officers and ambulance crews have been called to an ongoing disturbance at a privately run jail in Birmingham.Riot officers and ambulance crews have been called to an ongoing disturbance at a privately run jail in Birmingham.
Security firm G4S, which controls HMP Birmingham, also known as Winson Green, said the incident began just after 9am and involves two wings of the prison, holding up to 250 inmates. The security company G4S, which controls HMP Birmingham, also known as Winson Green, said the incident began just after 9am and involved two wings of the prison, holding up to 250 inmates.
It is understood that specially trained “Tornado” teams of prison officers are on their way to the jail to try to diffuse the situation. It is understood that specially trained “Tornado” teams of prison officers are on their way to the jail to try to defuse the situation.
The Victorian category-B jail, which was built in 1849 and is close to the city centre, can hold 1,450 adult remand and sentenced male prisoners. However, it is understood the incident is confined to wings N and P, and the rest of the prison is on lockdown.The Victorian category-B jail, which was built in 1849 and is close to the city centre, can hold 1,450 adult remand and sentenced male prisoners. However, it is understood the incident is confined to wings N and P, and the rest of the prison is on lockdown.
A G4S spokesman 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 working with colleagues across the service to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.”A G4S spokesman 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 working with colleagues across the service to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.”
There are unconfirmed reports that an inmate has been badly injured, though it is understood all staff have been accounted for.There are unconfirmed reports that an inmate has been badly injured, though it is understood all staff have been accounted for.
A spokesman for the West Midlands Ambulance Service said they were called to the prison at 12.23pm. A hazardous area response team was in attendance, together with an ambulance and paramedic area support officer, butno details were available about any casualties or injuries suffered. A spokesman for the West Midlands ambulance service said they were called to the prison at 12.23pm. A hazardous area response team was in attendance, together with an ambulance and paramedic area support officer, butno details were available about any casualties or injuries suffered.
The national chairman of the Prison Officers Association (POA), Mike Rolfe, said the incident was “another stark warning to the Ministry of Justice that the service is in crisis”.The national chairman of the Prison Officers Association (POA), Mike Rolfe, said the incident was “another stark warning to the Ministry of Justice that the service is in crisis”.
“The whole facts surrounding the incident at HMP Birmingham are not known,” he said. “National resources have been deployed to deal with this incident involving approximately 300 prisoners within two prison wings. No staff injuries have been reported and staff are currently monitoring the situation and awaiting national support, through mutual aid.”“The whole facts surrounding the incident at HMP Birmingham are not known,” he said. “National resources have been deployed to deal with this incident involving approximately 300 prisoners within two prison wings. No staff injuries have been reported and staff are currently monitoring the situation and awaiting national support, through mutual aid.”
Friday’s disturbance is the third in English prisons in less than two months. On 6 November a riot at the category-B Bedford prison caused chaos when up to 200 inmates flooded the jail’s gangways. On 29 October, a national response unit had to be brought in to control prisoners during an incident at HMP Lewes in East Sussex. It is the third disturbance in English prisons in less than two months. On 6 November a riot at the category-B Bedford prison caused chaos when up to 200 prisoners flooded the jail’s gangways. On 29 October, a national response unit had to be brought in to control prisoners during an incident at HMP Lewes in East Sussex.
There have been a string of warnings about safety behind bars after statistics revealed soaring levels of violence in jails in England and Wales, with assaults on staff up by 43% in the year to June. There has been a string of warnings about safety behind bars after statistics revealed soaring levels of violence in jails in England and Wales, with assaults on staff up by 43% in the year to June.
POA members held protests outside jails around the country in November over health and safety concerns.POA members held protests outside jails around the country in November over health and safety concerns.
Last month, the justice secretary, Liz Truss, unveiled her plans for prison reform, with measures including a recruitment drive to add 2,500 new officers to the front line and “no-fly zones” to stop drones dropping drugs and other contraband into prisons. Last month, the justice secretary, Liz Truss, unveiled her plans for prison reform, with measures including a recruitment drive to add 2,500 officers to the frontline and “no-fly zones” to stop drones dropping drugs and other contraband into prisons.