Latest news with #Belmarsh
Sky News
3 days ago
- General
- Sky News
Prison officers should be armed with lethal weapons to crack down on Islamist terrorists, Tories say
Prison officers should be armed with lethal weapons to crack down on Islamist terrorists in jail, the shadow justice secretary has said. Highly trained teams should also be equipped with tasers, stun grenades and baton rounds to tackle dangerous criminals in high-security jails, Robert Jenrick said. The plan is taken from a series of recommendations by counter-extremism expert and former prison governor Ian Acheson. It comes after a prison officer at high-security prison Long Lartin in Worcestershire was stabbed on Friday morning with a weapon Sky News understands was brought in from outside the prison. It also follows several attacks on prison officers in jails. In April this year, the Manchester Arena bomb plotter, Hashem Abedi, allegedly assaulted prison staff by throwing hot oil on them and then launching a stabbing attack, injuring three officers. At Belmarsh prison, Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has been accused of throwing boiling water over an officer through the hatch in his cell door earlier this month. Mr Jenrick said: "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 said he commissioned Mr Acheson to conduct a rapid review into measures the government could adopt. The measures include removing all radical Islamist imams working in prisons, immediately rolling out high-collar stab vests to frontline officers, and mandating the quarterly release of data on religious conversions in prison and faith-based incidents. It also recommended legislating to overturn the De Silva ruling to strip back judicial interference in operational decisions by governors to isolate extremists. Mr Jenrick added: "We have to stop pussy-footing around Islamist extremists and violent offenders in jails. "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." Mr Acheson said: "Too often what goes wrong behind the walls of our high security jails passes unnoticed, as does the bravery of the men and women in uniform who deal every day with terrorists and other highly dangerous offenders. "Robert Jenrick is right - the threat to officer safety is now intolerable and must be met decisively by the government. "The balance inside too many of our prisons has shifted away from control by the state to mere containment and the price is soaring levels of staff assaults and wrecked rehabilitation. Broken officers can't help fix broken people - or protect the public from violent extremism." A Ministry of Justice source said: "The government considers the introduction of lethal weapons into prisons would put prison officers at greater risk." They added: "The last government added just 500 cells to our prison estate, and left our jails in total crisis. In 14 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."
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Monster's tuck shop! Southport killer Axel Rudakubana 'allowed to buy treats in prison such as Maltesers and crisps' despite throwing scorching water over a prison guard in horror attack
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana is allegedly allowed to buy treats in prison such as Maltesers and crisps despite throwing scorching water over a prison guard three weeks ago. The 18-year-old triple murderer, who was sentenced to 52 years for the murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancome, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, reportedly has the treats delivered to his cell in HMP Belmarsh. It is also claimed that he is allowed to call his family, have religious visits and receive money from relatives while in the south east London prison. A source told The Sun that Rudakubana has been 'spending £5.50 a week' since he attacked the guard and is allowed to buy 'anything he likes as long as it's not dangerous'. They added: 'He's still allowed to buy things like Maltesers and Pringles crisps if he fancies them.' Since Rudakubana attacked the guard he has been on a 'basic' level of treatment behind bars meaning he no longer has access to a TV and that his time out of his cell has been restricted. He is also said to be no longer permitted to purchase butter or baby oil which could be heated for an attack. The source added: 'He is mostly confined to his cell. He fills in a sheet and stuff gets delivered. 'That means that prison officers, who are the colleagues of the guy he attacked, have to collect his canteen order and deliver it to his cell.' Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick labelled Rudakubana a 'monster' and said that he had such privileges was a 'disgrace'. Mr Jenrick added: 'He should be stripped of them immediately, no questions asked. 'It's the least the victims of his horrendous crime would expect. We've got to regain control of prisons before an officer is killed.' Rudakubana is also believed to have had visits from an imam, a person who leads prayers in a mosque, since his attack. However the 18-year-old has been barred from religious events over concerns he would be targeted. MailOnline reported earlier this month that Rudakubana's pre-planned boiling water attack left a prison guard screaming in agony. It was feared the killer had added sugar to the scalding water in a bid to cause more severe injuries. But it was understood that the prison officer was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure and was discharged later that day. He is also believed to have returned to work the following week. Rudakubana has been caged on the same secure unit as Manchester Arena terrorist, Hashem Abedi, who assaulted prison guards in HMP Frankland last month.
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Inside evil Southport killer's cushy jail life where he STILL gets Maltesers, crisps & other treats despite guard attack
SOUTHPORT monster Axel Rudakubana can still buy jail treats such as Maltesers and McCoy's despite attacking a guard with boiling water. The triple killer, 18, has them served by officers in his cell at London's Belmarsh Prison. 7 Child killer and jail attack fiend Axel Rudakubana last night faced calls for his canteen privileges to be stripped immediately — with a source saying: 'It's shocking and disgusting he still has these rights.' Rudakubana — serving at least 52 years for killing three girls at a dance class — is also allowed to call family, have religious visits and receive money from relatives while at Belmarsh, South East London. A source said: 'He's been spending £5.50 a week in the canteen since the attack, and can spend it on anything he likes as long as it's not dangerous. 'He's still allowed to buy things like Maltesers and Pringles crisps if he fancies them.' Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick led outrage at the treatment of Rudakubana. He said: 'I cannot believe this monster has been allowed to keep these privileges. It's a disgrace. 'He should be stripped of them immediately, no questions asked. 'It's the least the victims of his horrendous crime would expect. We've got to regain control of prisons before an officer is killed.' Since the attack Rudakubana has been busted down to a 'basic' regime which means his TV has been removed and his time out of his cell has been limited. Our source added: 'He is mostly confined to his cell. He fills in a sheet and stuff gets delivered. Southport fiend Axel Rudakubana hurled scalding water over prison guard in 'terrifying' attack putting victim in hospital 'That means that prison officers, who are the colleagues of the guy he attacked, have to collect his canteen order and deliver it to his cell. 'Array of goods' 'It's made some angry and upset. 'The array of goods on the canteen list is quite staggering and it has all the decent brands. 'He can also buy toiletries, vitamins, drinks and biscuits. 'He's not spending much because he's on basic level and doesn't have a job due to the danger he poses. 'But the principle of it is shocking — and he's been spending what he can every week since the attack. It's very rare for a governor to completely strip a prisoner of canteen rights but I'd say this is an instance where it's justified. 'He's also been able to call his family and had a bit of money sent in to him despite the attack.' Lags at Belmarsh can buy goods including Cadbury Twirl bars, Haribo Starmix bags, McCoy's crisps, Diet Coke, Vimto, vitamins, fruit and cereals like Shredded Wheat and Ready Brek. Also on offer are 'I Love You' cards, draughts sets, prayer mats, cross pendants and prayer hats. But Rudakubana is barred from buying anything that could be turned into a weapon. That includes tins of tuna, after the jagged edge of a can was used to slash Sara Sharif's killer dad Urfan at Belmarsh in January. Rudakubana is also banned from buying butter or baby oil which could be heated for an attack. Police are investigating the 'serious assault' he allegedly carried out at Belmarsh on May 8. The fiend was allowed a kettle and is believed to have used it to boil water. His supervision had been downgraded weeks earlier. The officer was taken to hospital but escaped serious injury and is believed to have returned to work. Rudakubana struck weeks after Manchester Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi, 28, stabbed and burned four officers at Frankland jail, Durham. Rudakubana is also said to have had visits from an imam since his attack. But he has been barred from religious ceremonies for fears he would be targeted. Inmates in UK jails have rights including protection from bullying, access to a solicitor and healthcare plus the right to communication and to make complaints. All other privileges have to be earned, and cons can have their time out of cells severely restricted. Inmates who behave can become 'enhanced' prisoners and earn the right to spend more money and watch TV. Another source said: 'It's fairly unheard of to strip someone of the canteen. But a lot of the public would think it should be done here. "The issue they have is they need to keep him happy and stop legal complaints. Certain prisoners are experts at knowing their rights. 'They were planning to move Rudakubana but the transfer has been delayed by the lack of an alternative. "The natural place would be the separation centre at Frankland. But, ironically, that's been closed down while the attack by Abedi is investigated.' Rudakubana was jailed in January for the murders of . The Prison Service said it did not comment on individuals. 7 7 7 Timeline of events related to the Southport stabbings AXEL Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, and 10 counts of attempted murder. Here is a timeline of events relating to the case: 2002: Rudakubana's father Alphonse moves to the UK from Rwanda, according to an interview he gave to his local newspaper in Southport in 2015. August 7, 2006: Rudakubana is born in Cardiff, Wales. 2013: The family - including Rudakubana's father, mother and older brother - move from Wales to Banks in Lancashire, a few miles from Southport. July 29, 2024: Shortly before midday, a knifeman enters a dance class at The Hart Space in Hart Street in Southport. Bebe, Elsie and Alice are fatally wounded. Eight other children are injured, as are instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. Police say they have detained a male and seized a knife. Within hours, claims spread online that the suspect is an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat in 2023. Some claims include an alleged identity. July 30, 2024: In the evening, a peaceful vigil is held outside Southport's Atkinson arts venue, where flowers are laid in memory of those who died. Shortly after the vigil, a separate protest begins outside the town's mosque in St Luke's Road. People throw items towards the mosque, property is damaged and police vehicles are set on fire. July 31, 2024: Demonstrators gather in Whitehall, London, for an "Enough Is Enough" protest. Flares and cans are thrown at police and more than 100 people are arrested. Disorder also breaks out in Hartlepool, County Durham, and Aldershot, Hampshire. August 1, 2024: Police announce that Rudakubana has been charged with the murders of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. He is not named by police because of his age. He appears in court in Liverpool and Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC rules he can be named, as he is due to turn 18 in a week. He initially smiled on entering the courtroom - then kept his face covered by his sweatshirt for the remainder of the proceedings before the case was adjourned. Later that evening, demonstrators gather outside a hotel in Newton Heath, Manchester. August 2, 2024: Three police officers are taken to hospital after disorder in Sunderland. August 3, 2024: There are scenes of violence during planned protests across the UK, including in Liverpool, Hull, Nottingham and Belfast. August 4, 2024: Disorder continues, including outside a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, where masked demonstrators launch lengths of wood and sprayed fire extinguishers at police officers. August 5, 2024: The Government holds an emergency Cobra meeting in the wake of the disorder and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer vows to "ramp up criminal justice". That evening, a peaceful vigil is held in Southport, a week on from the killings. Police deal with disorder in Plymouth, Devon and Darlington, County Durham. August 7, 2024: Prison sentences for those involved in the unrest begin to be handed out. Derek Drummond, 58, is the first person to be jailed for violent disorder at Liverpool Crown Court, where he is sentenced to three years. More than 100 protests are planned for across the country, with counter-demonstrations taking place, but the majority of police forces report very little trouble. October 29, 2024: Merseyside Police announces Rudakubana will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court via videolink the next day charged with production of a biological toxin, Ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism. October 30, 2024: Rudakubana appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court via videolink from HMP Belmarsh to face the two new charges. He holds his sweater over the bottom half of his face and does not respond when asked to confirm his name. November 13, 2024: Rudakubana appears at Liverpool Crown Court via videolink. He covers his face with his grey sweatshirt and does not speak throughout the hearing. About 20 family members of victims sit in the public gallery. The case is adjourned until December 12, when a preparatory hearing will take place. January 20, 2025: Rudakubana appears at Liverpool Crown Court for the first day of his trial where he pleads guilty to all 16 charges, including the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
It's time to build Britain's own supermax prison - and THIS is what it would look like: Two of our most infamous inmates have just savagely attacked guards... we must make a change: FRED KELLY
Since when does a criminal's right to make a cup of tea come before the safety of prison officers? That was the question posed by Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick this week after Southport child killer Axel Rudakubana attacked a guard at HMP Belmarsh with boiling water. This followed an incident last month at HMP Frankland in which Manchester Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi stabbed three guards and threw hot cooking oil over them, leaving them with life-threatening injuries. On Tuesday, a prison officer had their throat slashed by an inmate at HMP Woodhill.
Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Telegraph
Prison officer slashed across neck by knife-wielding inmate
A prison officer at a high-security jail has been slashed across his neck by an inmate using an improvised knife. A second officer at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes was attacked and punched by another inmate, who the Prison Officers' Association (POA) said was detained under terrorism laws. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has denied any terror link to either attack. Woodhill, which houses one of three separation units for extremist prisoners, is reportedly holding inmates transferred from HMP Frankland in County Durham after Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, attacked three officers in April with hot cooking oil and homemade knives. Abedi, who was jailed for life with a minimum of 55 years for his part in the Manchester bombing, has been transferred from Frankland to HMP Belmarsh in south London. And at the weekend, it was reported that Southport killer Axel Rudakubana allegedly used a kettle to pour boiling water over an officer at Belmarsh. Geoff Willetts, of the POA, said: 'I am advised that one of our members at HMP Woodhill was attacked by a prisoner who was detained under the Terrorism Act of 2008. The officer was assaulted and injured while carrying out his duties. 'In a separate incident at the same jail, a prisoner was told to return to his cell, and this resulted in a specialist officer being slashed with an improvised weapon, sustaining injuries to the neck and ear. The officer attended hospital where he required stitches and surgical glue applied to their injuries.' The POA also disclosed that at Gartree Prison, Market Harborough, a prisoner who faked an epileptic fit attacked staff who attended to help him. A female officer's arm was broken in the incident. The union has called for all front-line officers to be issued with stab vests to help protect them from attacks, particularly with weapons. Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, has ordered a rapid review to consider whether they should be provided. The POA is also calling for select officers to be trained in the use of tasers, which Ms Mahmood has agreed to trial, and for dangerous offenders to be held under US style supermax conditions – meaning they are segregated, only allowed out under officer escort while cuffed, and restricted to a basic living regime. Violence in jails 'out of control' Steve Gillan, the POA general secretary, said: 'Escalating levels of violence are out of control in the prison service in England and Wales. It appears that [the Prison Service] have learnt nothing. They continue to ignore the calls from our members on the front line for urgent action to protect prison officers from violence. 'It is clear that prison regimes must be reviewed as a matter of urgency. We need action to protect officers before there is a fatality.' Some 10,605 assaults on staff in male and female jails were recorded in 2024, up from 9,204 in 2023 and nearly three times the 3,640 in 2014.
