UK police say inmates' attack on officers in Whitemoor prison is being treated as 'a terrorist act'
A counter-terrorism unit is investigating the attack at the maximum security HM Prison Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire, UK. Five prison staff were taken to hospital after the incident, which involved two inmates.
According to some reports, the attackers shouted "Allah Akbar" and were both wearing fake suicide vests. One of the men was in jail for terrorist offenses, the BBC reports.
BREAKING: Counter-terrorism police are investigating a prison attack today which left five members of staff needing hospital treatment. Two inmates at high security HMP #Whitemoor launched attack while shouting "Allah Akbar", according to prison source.
— Michael Knowles (@Express_Knowles) January 9, 2020
The men’s prison can hold over 450 inmates, and houses some of the country’s highest-risk offenders.
The Met Police said the counter-terrorism unit had been called in because of “certain circumstances relating to this incident,” and no arrests have been made.
"However, we must stress that at this early stage of the investigation we are keeping an open mind with regards to any motives, and enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident are ongoing."
A prison service spokesperson said that Thursday’s incident was “quickly resolved” by its staff. They added that attacks on prison officers are not tolerated and the Her Majesty’s Prison Services will “push for the strongest possible punishment.”
No further information about the nature of the officers' injuries has been released.
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