Tories in call to arm specialist prison officers to counter Islamist gangs
The Conservatives have called for some prison officers to have access to firearms to counter 'out of control' Islamist gangs and violent prisoners.
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said specialist teams should be armed with Tasers, stun grenades, and in some circumstances, lethal weapons.
He also called for high-collar stab vests to be provided to frontline officers right away, citing the threat from inmates after recent attacks on prison officers.
'Islamist gangs and violent prisoners in our jails are out of control. It's a national security emergency, but the Government is dithering.
'If they don't act soon, there is a very real risk that a prison officer is kidnapped or murdered in the line of duty, or that a terrorist attack is directed from inside prison,' he wrote in The Telegraph.
He said he had commissioned former prison governor Ian Acheson to carry out a rapid review.
'We have to stop pussy-footing around Islamist extremists and violent offenders in jails,' he wrote.
'That means arming specialist prison officer teams with Tasers and stun grenades, as well as giving them access to lethal weapons in exceptional circumstances.
'If prison governors can't easily keep terrorist influencers and radicalising inmates apart from the mainstream prisoners they target, then we don't control our prisons – they do. We must take back control and restore order by giving officers the powers and protection they need.'
It come after attacks by high-profile inmates.
Manchester Arena plotter Hashem Abedi targeted prison staff with boiling oil and homemade weapons in a planned ambush last month.
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana allegedly attacked a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh earlier this month by pouring boiling water over them.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has ordered a snap review into whether stab vests should be used more routinely, and a trial that will give specialised officers dealing with serious incidents Tasers is due to be launched this summer.
Officers already have access to batons and Pava spray, a synthetic form of pepper spray, in men's prisons in the public sector.
A Ministry of Justice source said the Government has a 'zero-tolerance approach' to violence and extremism in prisons.
'The last Government added just 500 cells to our prison estate, and left our jails in total crisis. In fourteen years, they closed 1,600 cells in the high-security estate, staff assaults soared, and experienced officers left in droves. Now the arsonists are pretending to be firefighters.
'This Government is cleaning up the mess the last Government left behind. We are building new prisons, with 2,400 new cells opened since we took office. And we take a zero-tolerance approach to violence and extremism inside.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
25 minutes ago
- The Guardian
UK government signals it will not force tech firms to disclose how they train AI
Campaigners have accused ministers of lying to parliament and the creative industries after the government signalled it would not force AI companies to disclose how they train their models. Ministers are holding firm in a standoff with the House of Lords, which has called for artists to be offered immediate copyright protection against artificial intelligence companies. Peers voted by 221 to 116 on Wednesday to insist on an amendment to the data bill that would force AI firms to be transparent about what copyrighted material they use to train their models. In an amendment tabled on Friday, the government dismissed the Lords' request and reiterated its promise to publish an economic impact assessment and technical reports on the future of AI and copyright regulation. Beeban Kidron, the cross-bench peer and film director who has campaigned on behalf of the industry, said during Wednesday's debate that she would 'accept anything that the Commons does' after this week. 'I will not stand in front of your Lordships again and press our case,' she said. But the News Media Association (NMA), which represents publishers including the Guardian, said peers could table further amendments to the data bill when it returns to the Lords next Wednesday. Industry figures said the government was acting in bad faith by not addressing the Lords' concerns and called for it to make further amendments of its own before MPs vote on it on Tuesday. Kidron said: 'The government has repeatedly taken all protections for UK copyrights holders out of the data bill. In doing so they have shafted the creative industries, and they have proved willing to decimate the UK's second biggest industrial sector. They have lied to parliament, and they are lying to the sector.' She said the government's action 'adds another sector to the growing number that have an unbridgeable gap of trust with the government'. Owen Meredith, chief executive of the NMA, said: 'the government's refusal to listen to the strong view of the Lords … risks undermining the legislative process. 'There is still time for the government to do the right thing, and take transparency powers in this bill. This would be a key step towards rebuilding trust with a £126bn industry.' Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion The government's approach to copyright has drawn the ire of major creative artists and organisations including Paul McCartney, Kate Bush and the National Theatre, with Elton John describing the situation as an 'existential issue' this week. Opponents of the plans have warned that even if the attempts to insert clauses into the data bill fail, the government could be challenged in the courts over the proposed changes. The consultation on copyright changes, which is due to produce its findings before the end of the year, contains four options: to let AI companies use copyrighted work without permission, alongside an option for artists to 'opt out' of the process; to leave the situation unchanged; to require AI companies to seek licences for using copyrighted work; and to allow AI firms to use copyrighted work with no opt-out for creative companies and individuals. Kyle has said the copyright-waiver-plus-opt-out scenario is no longer the government's preferred option, but Kidron's amendments have attempted to head off that option by effectively requiring tech companies to seek licensing deals for any content that they use to train their AI models.
BBC News
26 minutes ago
- BBC News
Newton Aycliffe man jailed for kidnap and intent to rape teenager
A man who kidnapped a girl with the intention of raping her has been jailed for 11 well as kidnap, Matthew Hindhaugh had also pleaded guilty to assaulting and intentionally strangling the teenager in Crown Court heard that the 22-year-old, of Rowan Place in Newton Aycliffe, had also admitted possessing a samurai sword and making indecent images of children. Durham Police said Hindhaugh claimed he was trying to help the girl who he said had fallen over and hurt her face, but that "overwhelming CCTV evidence and witness statements proved otherwise". The victim said her attacker had punched her in the face before putting his hands over her mouth and telling her to be then forced her into his house and on to his bed where he held her down and started to unzip his described the girl as "quick-thinking" after she told Hindhaugh she would not tell anyone what had happened if he let her then escaped leaving a shoe behind. 'Chastity belt' Det Supt Peter Carr said the victim's bravery was "nothing short of extraordinary"."Not only did her resilience and quick-thinking actions manage to get her to safety, but she managed to prevent Hindhaugh from causing harm to anyone else," he said. "He is an extremely dangerous predator, whose actions were abhorrent that night."When arrested Hindhaugh was wearing a chastity belt which he told officers was to try and stop his sexual admitted eight charges including kidnap with the intention to commit rape, assault causing actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation, all committed on 27 also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children, including 171 in the most serious category, between May 2015 and September 2024. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Sky News
29 minutes ago
- Sky News
Archbishop of Canterbury job advert goes live – and for the first time they could be a woman
A job description for the next Archbishop of Canterbury has gone live, seeking a leader with the "utmost integrity" - and, for the first time in the church's history, they could be a woman. Justin Welby left the vacancy in January after resigning following a damning review into the Church of England 's handling of a sexual abuse scandal. The archbishop is the most senior bishop and is the spiritual leader of the church and worldwide Anglican Communion. This week, a so-called 'statement of needs' was published by the Diocese of Canterbury, setting out a long list of requirements for the 106th archbishop. These include: A person with "theological depth" who is a strong communicator with people of all ages and backgrounds; Someone of the "utmost integrity who is able to speak honestly" about issues and injustices in the church; A "servant leader who shows compassion towards the disadvantaged and marginalised"; Being "unapologetic about offering a Christian perspective to local, national, and international dialogue"; A willingness to ordain and consecrate both men and women, support the ministry of both, and may themselves be male or female; Having previously "worked, and will continue to work constructively" around ongoing discussions around blessing services for same-sex couples, but also someone who can "embrace" both those who support and oppose same-sex marriage in the church. Women have been ordained in the Church of England for a number of years, but no woman has ever been in the top role. Candidates have historically already held senior leadership roles. They must be at least 30 years old - and generally younger than 70. Typically, rather than applying, candidates are "invited" to take part in the process. Earlier this year, a public consultation with over 11,000 people took place to give people the opportunity to submit candidates and desirable qualities. It is thought the candidate could be announced by the autumn, a year after Mr Welby resigned from the job. Mr Welby announced he was stepping down in November 2024 following failures in handling a church abuse scandal involving barrister and religious camp leader John Smyth QC. He is thought to be the most prolific abuser associated with the church.
