HMP Hewell: Security teams called to prison 'incident'

Specially-trained prison security teams were called to an "incident" at HMP Hewell.

Tornado squads, which are equipped to deal with riots, arrived at the prison near Redditch in Worcestershire late on Saturday night.

It is understood a handful of prisoners were attempting to cause damage to a wing.

The Prison Service said a "small number" of inmates at the category B jail were involved in the disturbance.

Men shouting and swearing, as well as banging and dogs barking, could be heard coming from the prison.

Tornado squads arrived at the site in unmarked vans using blue lights and sirens at about 19:30 BST.

'Serious concern'

HMP Hewell, which opened in its current form in 2008, is made up of six wings.

The main site is surrounded by farmland and houses about 1,000 inmates - including some category A remand prisoners.

In an inspection report published in January, Hewell was described as "a prison with many challenges and areas of serious concern".

Peter Clarke, chief inspector of prisons, said the "main concerns at the closed site were regarding issues of safety and respect".

He said levels of violence were "far too high", communal areas were "dirty" and many cells were over-crowded, with some described as "filthy".

A Prison Service spokesman said: "We are absolutely clear that offenders who behave in this way will be punished and face spending extra time behind bars."

It is understood the incident ended shortly after several loud bangs were heard at about midnight and prison authorities are now back in full control of the affected wing.