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Police called to Ford open prison after rioting Police called to Ford open prison after rioting
(40 minutes later)
Police and fire services are at Ford open prison near Arundel, West Sussex, after a riot broke out, the Prison Service has confirmed. Specialist police and fire services are at Ford open prison near Arundel, West Sussex, after a riot broke out, the Prison Service has confirmed.
In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said that around 40 prisoners began smashing windows and setting fires in some buildings. The Ministry of Justice said around 40 prisoners began smashing windows and setting fires in some buildings.
A spokesman said that prison service staff were forced to retreat. Prison service staff were forced to retreat but there have been no reports of any injuries to staff or inmates.
He added: "We have no reports of any injuries to staff or prisoners at this stage." Police have formed a cordon around the area where the trouble took place, while smoke can still be seen.
The inmates involved also set off fire alarms at the prison after the disturbance began at around midnight on New Year's Eve going into New Year's Day.The inmates involved also set off fire alarms at the prison after the disturbance began at around midnight on New Year's Eve going into New Year's Day.
The spokesman said: "Specialist teams of prison officers have been called in to deal with the incident."
HMP Ford accepts category D offenders who have under two years left to serve on their sentences.HMP Ford accepts category D offenders who have under two years left to serve on their sentences.
BBC correspondent Robert Hall said prison vans were lined up outside the compound, which are expected to move prisoners once the situation had been resolved.
He added that the cause of the violence had not yet been revealed but that were unconfirmed rumours that alcohol had been involved.
But the cause, he said, was unlikely to be revealed until the authorities felt that the situation had been brought fully under control.
The Prison Service website says the institution - which can hold up to 557 inmates - does not house criminals who have been convicted of arson, some sexual offences, or 'restraining' offences.The Prison Service website says the institution - which can hold up to 557 inmates - does not house criminals who have been convicted of arson, some sexual offences, or 'restraining' offences.
The facility is split into two sites which is divided by a main road. One of the sides is mainly residential, while the other generally consists of work spaces.
Concerns had been raised in the past about the way the prison was operated.Concerns had been raised in the past about the way the prison was operated.
In 2009, the prison's own Independent Monitoring Board said people had been able to smuggle in drugs, alcohol and mobile phones.In 2009, the prison's own Independent Monitoring Board said people had been able to smuggle in drugs, alcohol and mobile phones.
It called for upgraded CCTV for the site to be installed as a priority.It called for upgraded CCTV for the site to be installed as a priority.