Image copyright South Beds News Agency Image caption Some roads around HMP Bedford were blocked by police

Up to 200 prisoners are said to have taken over parts of Bedford Prison amid reports of a "riot".

There were also reports of loud bangs or explosions coming from inside the prison.

Police and specially trained guards were called to the Category B prison at about 17:00 GMT.

Ambulance and fire services were on stand-by, although no casualties were reported.

In a recent report on HMP Bedford, inmates claimed it was easier to get hold of drugs than clothes or bedding.

"We do know there's concerted ill-discipline, if not a riot situation going on at Bedford," said Steve Gillan, general secretary of the Prison Officers Association.

'Out of cells'

He said some guards at the prison had retreated to a "safe place" and teams of riot-trained officers had been deployed.

"There could be anything up to 200 prisoners involved. We don't know how many are out of the cells, some are still locked up," he added.

Mobile phone footage apparently from inside the prison was posted online, revealing chaotic scenes, with scores of prisoners out of their cells and in the prison's gangways, shouting and bellowing.

One video showed what appeared to be paper and furniture strewn across an atrium floor, although the footage could not immediately be verified.

However, Mr Gillan said: "The POA has been warning about this situation of violence in our prisons - it would appear it's coming to fruition."

Image copyright South Beds News Agency Image caption Police were called to reports of unrest at the prison

The Ministry of Justice said it had no reports of any prison officers being injured in the disturbance.

A spokesman said: "Specialist staff are on site trying to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible. This is very much an ongoing incident."

A Prison Service spokesman said: "We are clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars."

Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said on Twitter: "More troubling news concerning our prisons. The Justice Secretary needs to do more urgently to tackle crisis."

Self-harm

Last week Justice Secretary Liz Truss unveiled a White Paper detailing £1.3bn investment in new prisons over the next five years, and plans for 2,100 extra officers, drug tests and more autonomy for governors.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons also discovered incidents of self-harm had almost doubled from 67 to 121.

In a report on Bedford Prison published in September, almost twice the number of prisoners said it was "easy" to access drugs, compared to a previous inspection in February 2014.

The number saying they had developed a drug problem while at the prison increased from 4% to 14%.

Image copyright South Beds News Agency Image caption Fire crews were also called to the prison

Image copyright South Beds News Agency Image caption Several police units were at the scene

'Unacceptable'

The report found that of 72 recommendations made after the prison was last inspected more than two years earlier, only 12 had been achieved and four partially achieved.

Image copyright South Beds News Agency Image caption The ambulance service said no casualties had been reported

It also said the use of drugs previously known as "legal highs" was having a "serious impact" on safety at the prison.

The inspection found that the physical condition of the prison, which has been on its current site since 1801, was poor, with many inmates living in cramped conditions.

Peter Clarke, chief inspector of prisons, wrote: "Standards in the prison have declined to unacceptable levels."

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said after the report was published Bedford was "a good example of everything that is wrong with the prison system".

The prison held just under 500 male prisoners at the time of the inspection.</s>Prisoners took over parts of Bedford prison in central England on Sunday night in what the prison workers' body described as a serious incident, with extra prison officers from across the country and local police drafted in to help regain control.

Fire and ambulance workers were also at the scene.

"There's been a serious incident which has resulted in two wings being taken over by prisoners," a spokesman from the POA union, which represents prison officers, told Reuters.

"Prison officers from all over the country are being bussed into Bedford now. They will take over the situation and deal with it as a riot and bring the establishment back under control," he said.

The local ambulance service said units remained on standby, with no casualties reported.</s>Conditions at Bedford prison, where 200 inmates went on a six-hour rampage on Sunday, has declined to “unacceptable levels” with illegal drugs more readily available than clothes or sheets, prison inspectors said in September.

A prison service inquiry was getting under way on Monday into the disturbance which was “successfully resolved” late on Sunday night after riot control officers and emergency services spent more than six hours bringing the disturbance to an end.

Inmates flooded the jail’s gangways after the unrest broke out after 5pm on Sunday after staff were forced to retreat to “safe areas” within the jail. Unverified mobile phone footage showed chaotic scenes with scores of prisoners out of their cells shouting in gangways and walkways.

Specialist riot officers were deployed at the category B prison in Bedford town centre after the riot broke out on Sunday afternoon, with police cordoning off an area outside and emergency services on standby.

A prison service spokesman said: “Specially trained prison officers and staff from the emergency services have successfully resolved an incident involving a number of prisoners at HMP Bedford.

“An investigation into this incident will take place. We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars.”

Richard Fuller, the MP for Bedford and Kempston, is expected to press the justice secretary, Elizabeth Truss, on Monday for further details. The disturbance at Bedford comes just days after Truss detailed her prison safety and reform plans, including a recruitment drive for 2,500 more prison officers.

Steve Gillan, the general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, stopped short of describing the incident as a riot classing it instead as “concerted indiscipline” and said up to 200 prisoners could have been involved. He added: “The POA has been warning about this situation of violence in our prisons – it would appear it’s coming to fruition. I just hope there’s no prisoners or indeed prison officers injured in the violence.”

HMP Bedford, which has been on its current site since 1801, holds about 500 inmates, according to an HM Inspectorate of Prisons report in September.

Gillan said the mobile phone footage, which also showed paper and furniture strewn on the floor, appeared to be authentic, saying: “With everything else that has been going on at Bedford, it is hard to believe that this is not from Bedford. It ties in with the issues that were going on at Bedford.

“I think there were mobile phones at Bedford, which are not allowed but, by the same token, our prisons are awash with mobile phones and drugs, which are not allowed.”

Initial reports suggested that staff at Bedford had refused to unlock prisoners on safety grounds but had been overruled by managers.

Peter Clarke, the chief inspector of prisons, in his report on Bedford prison in September said that many prisoners were living in crowded and cramped conditions. The inspectors found that there had been a dramatic increase in levels of self-harm and the proportion of inmates saying they had developed a drug problem while inside had risen from 4% at the previous inspection in 2014 to 14% this year.

Clarke also criticised the prison management’s “abject failure” to implement 60 out of the 72 recommendations made after the last inspection in 2014.</s>POLICE have been called to a prison in Bedford following reports of a riot.

Emergency services were called to the prison in the town centre at around 5pm.

A police spokeswoman said: "Bedfordshire Police is currently assisting HMP Bedford following reports of unrest within the prison.

"We were called shortly before 5pm and have a number of officers at the scene working with prison staff to resolve the issue."

It was reported that prisoners started a riot and have taken over parts of the category B prison.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "Specially trained staff are working with the emergency services to resolve an ongoing incident involving a number of prisoners at HMP Bedford.
• Sudden death of Alexandria man in jail was "unavoidable", inquiry is told

"We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars."

Ambulance and fire services are also on standby outside the prison.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "We are at the scene on standby at this stage. It's an on-going incident. We are not in the prison."

HMP Bedford, which has been on its current site since 1801, currently holds around 500 inmates, according to a HM Inspectorate of Prisons report in September.

The watchdog's report found inmates claimed it was easier to get drugs than clothes or bedsheets at a prison where standards have deteriorated to "unacceptable levels".

A survey found the number of prisoners saying it was easy or very easy to get drugs had almost doubled since the last inspection of the jail in February 2014.
• Anger as teenager accused of double rape tells prison officers he wants to live as a woman

The number saying they had developed a drug problem while at the prison increased from 4% to 14%.

The HMP inspection in May also found that the physical condition of the prison was poor, with many inmates living in cramped conditions. The report detailed damaged furniture, graffiti, shortages of clothing and dirty, unscreened showers.

The report also said: "Arrangements for managing violent and bullying behaviour and supporting victims were weak."

Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon said on Twitter: "More troubling news concerning our prisons. The Justice Secretary needs to do more urgently to tackle crisis."</s>A riot has broken out among prisoners at Bedford jail over tensions sparked by staff shortages.



Bedfordshire fire service was called to the category B prison at 5pm on Sunday afternoon following reports of a disturbance, and a fire truck remained on standby at the scene.



Bedfordshire police confirmed that they had been alerted to the situation, but would not say if riot police were dealing with the incident.



According to reports, prisoners have been frustrated over long periods of lockdown caused by chronic understaffing.



The violence broke out in the afternoon, with prisoners reportedly grabbing batons from the guards and lighting small fires.



It is believed prisoners were also ripping up toilets in a bid to flood the building as guards fled the scene. 



Sources told the Press Association the riot had spread to more than one wing of the prison.

The Ministry of Justice said it had no reports of any prison officers being injured in the disturbance.

An MoJ spokesman said: “Specialist staff are on site trying to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible. This is very much an ongoing incident.”

There were also reports of loud bangs or explosions coming from inside the prison.

A prison service spokesperson said: “Specially trained prison staff are working with the emergency services to resolve an ongoing incident involving a number of prisoners at HMP Bedford.

“We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars.”</s>Grinning inmates put on stolen medical gear and posed for the camera as they rioted at a prison.

Over 200 prisoners rampaged inside HMP Bedford yesterday (Sunday) and footage emerged of them shouting and smashing windows.

New video showed seven men at the Category B men’s prison smiling with their fingers up while wearing blue medical gloves.

One other appeared to be wearing a protective medical head covering and bib.

Chanting can be heard in the background of the 13 second video while the men stand and laugh before the camera pans to show two other men joining the group.

A green curtain can be seen in the background as the prisoners - suggesting the inmates were filmed in the health care wing of the prison.

It has been reported that prisoners carried blades, ransacked guards’ offices and set small fires during the six-hour riot.

There were also reports of loud bangs ‘like gunfire’ from inside the grounds of the Victorian jail.

Emergency services were called at around 5pm, with ambulance and fire services on standby outside.

The incident is understood to have been “successfully resolved” at around 11.30pm on Sunday night.

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust confirmed one patient had a suspected broken jaw and a second patient had chest pain.

Both were taken to hospital for further treatment while a third patient with back pain was treated at the scene.

HMP Bedford, which has been on its current site since 1801, currently holds around 500 inmates.

The Prison Service said: “Specially trained prison officers and staff from the emergency services have successfully resolved an incident involving a number of prisoners at HMP Bedford.

“An investigation into this incident will take place. We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars.”

The riot came after the head of the Prison Officers Association (POA) Mike Rolfe last week warned British jails have been engulfed by a “bloodbath”.

Steve Gillan, POA general secretary, said: “The POA has been warning about this situation of violence in our prisons - it would appear it’s coming to fruition.

“I just hope there’s no prisoners or indeed prison officers are injured in the violence.”

A survey found the number of prisoners saying it was easy or very easy to get drugs had almost doubled since the last inspection of the jail in February 2014.

The number saying they had developed a drug problem while at the prison increased from four per cent to 14 per cent.

An HMP inspection in May also found that the physical condition of the prison was poor, with many inmates living in cramped conditions.

The report detailed damaged furniture, graffiti, shortages of clothing and dirty, unscreened showers.

The report also said: “Arrangements for managing violent and bullying behaviour and supporting victims were weak.”</s>Police and ambulance crews have been called to assist guards tackling a riot at Bedford Prison tonight.

Hundreds of prisoners are believed to be involved in the disturbance at the category B men’ s prison in Bromham Road.

It’s believed some inmates armed with knives and blades and ransacked a guard’s office. They also set small fires and it’s reported stole medical supplies.

Some prisoners have taken videos of the scenes from their mobile phones.

Some reports say as many as 300 prisoners are involved with residents sharing photos of emergency vehicles outside the building.

One shocked woman wrote on Facebook: “It’s kicking off big time in Bedford prison.”

Another said he saw 13 police cars.

Fire services are also on standby outside the prison.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We are at the scene on standby at this stage. It’s an on-going incident. We are not in the prison.”</s>Grinning inmates put on stolen medical gear and posed for the camera as they rioted at a prison.

Over 200 prisoners rampaged inside HMP Bedford yesterday (Sunday) and footage emerged of them shouting and smashing windows.

New video showed seven men at the Category B men’s prison smiling with their fingers up while wearing blue medical gloves.

One other appeared to be wearing a protective medical head covering and bib.

Chanting can be heard in the background of the 13 second video while the men stand and laugh before the camera pans to show two other men joining the group.

A green curtain can be seen in the background as the prisoners - suggesting the inmates were filmed in the health care wing of the prison.

It has been reported that prisoners carried blades, ransacked guards’ offices and set small fires during the six-hour riot.

There were also reports of loud bangs ‘like gunfire’ from inside the grounds of the Victorian jail.

Emergency services were called at around 5pm, with ambulance and fire services on standby outside.

The incident is understood to have been “successfully resolved” at around 11.30pm on Sunday night.

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust confirmed one patient had a suspected broken jaw and a second patient had chest pain.

Both were taken to hospital for further treatment while a third patient with back pain was treated at the scene.

Steve Gillan, Prison Officers Association general secretary, said: “The POA has been warning about this situation of violence in our prisons - it would appear it’s coming to fruition.

“I just hope there’s no prisoners or indeed prison officers are injured in the violence.”

A survey found the number of prisoners saying it was easy or very easy to get drugs had almost doubled since the last inspection of the jail in February 2014.

The number saying they had developed a drug problem while at the prison increased from four per cent to 14 per cent.

An HMP inspection in May also found that the physical condition of the prison was poor, with many inmates living in cramped conditions.

The report detailed damaged furniture, graffiti, shortages of clothing and dirty, unscreened showers.

The report also said: “Arrangements for managing violent and bullying behaviour and supporting victims were weak.”</s>Officers are investigating the reports of ‘unrest’ within HMP Bedford yesterday.

Police were called to support colleagues at the prison shortly before 5pm and a number of officers from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Essex attended the scene, along with other emergency services.

The incident was resolved shortly after 11pm.

Three men aged 39, 37 and 26 have been arrested on suspicion of committing offences under the Prison Security Act 1992.

They currently remain in police custody as officers continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

Two prisoners were taken to hospital during the incident, one of whom had fallen unwell and one who had sustained minor injuries during the unrest.

Both have been treated and have returned to the prison.</s>Inmates from HMP Bedford were transferred to other prisons following Sunday’s riot, a prison official said.

Private contractor trucks waited outside the compound early on Monday morning, flanked by police vehicles, including a dog unit.

Several police vans marked as carrying chemicals including “irritants”, “flammable liquid” and “compressed gas” also lined up outside the jail walls.

Richard Fuller, MP for Bedford and Kempston, said he thought there was ‘no justification for these actions’.

He said: “We’ve got to look at if current levels of staffing are sufficient or if they contributed to the event.

“This applies for HMP Bedford and prisons across the country.

“There was mobile phone coverage of the incident itself and also given reports on how easy it is to get drugs into the prison, people would be horrified if they saw how easy it was getting contraband in there.”

Mr Fuller said he will be seeking a meeting with the governor of Bedford Prison and will be meeting with Minister for Prisons Andrew Selous over the ‘riot’.
As many as 200 prisoners take over parts of HM Prison Bedford in Bedford, England, amid reports of a riot and explosions inside the Category B men's prison.