Prisoners get hold of keys as riot breaks out at prison in Birmingham

Prisoners are rioting at HMP Birmingham. Photo / Facebook

A disturbance has broken out at the privately run Winson Green prison in Birmingham.

Prisoners reportedly began smashing lights and threatening prison officers on Friday morning at the Category B prison which is run by G4S.

There were unconfirmed reports that some of the inmates had managed to get hold of keys after overpowering some of the guards.

The incidents were understood to be taking place in P and N wings of the prison, but later spread to two further wings.

The riot broke out shortly after 9am. Photo / Facebook

Prisoners were understood to be in control of the gymnasium, the pharmacy and the security equipment store.

The Victorian prison, which was built in 1849, can hold 1,450 adult remand and sentenced male prisoners.

Managing Director for G4S custodial and detention services, Jerry Petherick, said: "We continue to respond to an ongoing incident at HMP Birmingham which began just after 9am this morning.

"Our teams withdrew following a disturbance and sealed two wings, which include some administrative offices. The disturbance has since spread to two further wings.

"All staff have been accounted for. Additional officers have arrived on site and we have deployed canine units within the prison. West Midlands Police helicopter is also in attendance.

"We are working with colleagues across the service to bring this disturbance to a safe conclusion."

There are reports that prisoners have obtained the keys from guards. Photo / Facebook

Prison affairs academic and blogger Alex Cavendish told the Press Association an "inside informant" told him the trouble started with lights being broken and inmates controlling fire hoses.

"The officers were then, as they are instructed to do, trying to get as many prisoners locked in their cells as possible to contain it," he said.

"While one of the officers was putting a prisoner in the cell he was threatened with what appeared to be a used syringe."

Cavendish said while this officer was distracted by the threat, "another inmate came up behind, snatched the keys from his belt and snapped the security chain".

There were reports that one prisoner had been injured but all staff had been accounted for.

The riots have broken out in three wings at the Victorian prison. Photo / Alamy

A specialist riot squad known as the "Tornado Team" has been deployed to quell the trouble.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "The Prison Service is managing the ongoing incident at HMP Birmingham. The situation is contained, the perimeter is secure and there is no risk to public.

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

This article originally apperead on the Telegraph.