This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-41588544

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Long Lartin: Prison staff 'attacked with pool balls' Long Lartin: Prison staff 'attacked with pool balls'
(about 3 hours later)
Up to 80 prisoners have attacked staff with pool balls at a high-security prison, the BBC understands. Staff were attacked with pool balls during a disturbance at a high-security prison, the BBC understands.
A source said staff at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire had retreated from E wing after inmates became violent. Up to 80 inmates at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire became violent, forcing staff to retreat, a source said.
BBC Home Affairs Correspondent Danny Shaw said he understood about 10 "tornado teams" of riot officers had been sent to the prison. BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said he understood about 10 "Tornado teams" of riot officers were sent to the prison on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said: "We are currently managing an ongoing incident at HMP Long Lartin." The Prison Service said the incident had been "successfully resolved" by Thursday morning.
"We are absolutely clear that offenders who behave in this way will be punished and face spending extra time behind bars," the statement added. No staff or inmates were injured, it said.
"We do not tolerate violence in our prisons, and are clear that those responsible will be referred to the police and could spend longer behind bars," it added.
Our correspondent said there had previously been serious violence in local and training prisons, but to have a disturbance like this at a high-security jail would cause alarm at the MoJ.Our correspondent said there had previously been serious violence in local and training prisons, but to have a disturbance like this at a high-security jail would cause alarm at the MoJ.
He said staff on E wing had retreated and it had been secured, so the troublemakers could not go elsewhere.He said staff on E wing had retreated and it had been secured, so the troublemakers could not go elsewhere.
There is also believed to be a separate protest elsewhere in the jail, our correspondent said. There were also reports of a separate protest elsewhere in the jail, our correspondent said.
The disturbance is the latest in a series of large-scale disorders at prisons around the country. The disturbance followed riots at a number of jails in recent years, including Lewes, Bedford, Birmingham and Swaleside.
It follows riots at a number of jails in recent years, including Lewes, Bedford, Birmingham and Swaleside.
AnalysisAnalysis
Daniel Sandford, home affairs correspondentDaniel Sandford, home affairs correspondent
Any disturbance at a prison is worrying, but at Long Lartin it's particularly worrying.Any disturbance at a prison is worrying, but at Long Lartin it's particularly worrying.
It's one of the highest-security prisons in England and Wales; two-thirds of the inmates are serving life sentences.It's one of the highest-security prisons in England and Wales; two-thirds of the inmates are serving life sentences.
Normally the higher staffing ratios and older age of the prisoners means you get less trouble.Normally the higher staffing ratios and older age of the prisoners means you get less trouble.
But like all prisons, Long Lartin has suffered cuts and has lost a fifth of its staff.But like all prisons, Long Lartin has suffered cuts and has lost a fifth of its staff.
They are recruiting, but it's a prison on the edge.
HMP Long Lartin is a maximum security jail which also holds up to 622 male inmates.HMP Long Lartin is a maximum security jail which also holds up to 622 male inmates.
The category A prison has housed a number of high-profile inmates, including radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza and murderer Christopher Halliwell.The category A prison has housed a number of high-profile inmates, including radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza and murderer Christopher Halliwell.
Four prisoners have been killed at the jail in the last four years.Four prisoners have been killed at the jail in the last four years.
Child murderer Subhan Anwar was strangled in 2013, while killer John York was beaten to death in his cell in 2015.Child murderer Subhan Anwar was strangled in 2013, while killer John York was beaten to death in his cell in 2015.
In June 2016, Sidonio Eugenio Teixeira was killed using a rock wrapped in a pair of socks.In June 2016, Sidonio Eugenio Teixeira was killed using a rock wrapped in a pair of socks.
Two inmates who murdered a fellow prisoner were jailed for life last month.Two inmates who murdered a fellow prisoner were jailed for life last month.
An inspection report published in 2014 described a "calm, well controlled prison".An inspection report published in 2014 described a "calm, well controlled prison".
"But, while violence and bullying were few, there continued to be some very serious incidents," it added."But, while violence and bullying were few, there continued to be some very serious incidents," it added.
Have you witnessed these events? E-mail us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukHave you witnessed these events? E-mail us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
You can also contact us in the following ways:You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below