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HMP Whitemoor: Terror police probe assault on prison officer HMP Whitemoor: Brusthom Ziamani named as attack suspect
(about 4 hours later)
A prison officer at a maximum security jail has been attacked by two inmates wielding bladed weapons and wearing fake suicide vests. An inmate suspected of attacking an officer at a maximum security prison was jailed for planning to behead a solider, the BBC has learned.
The attack, in which four other prison staff were injured, happened this morning at HMP Whitemoor near March, Cambridgeshire, as cells were unlocked. He is believed to be Brusthom Ziamani, 24, who was found guilty of preparing an act of terrorism in 2015.
One officer, thought to be the initial target, was stabbed and slashed, the others had rushed to help. The attack at HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire, in which four other prison staff were injured, happened as cells were unlocked.
One of the inmates is a terrorist prisoner, the other a violent offender. One officer was slashed and stabbed, the others had rushed to help.
The officer's injuries are not thought to be life threatening and no arrests have been made. Ziamani was assisted by another prisoner, a Muslim convert who was serving time for a violent offence.
The Met Police said its counter-terrorism command unit had been called in "due to certain circumstances relating to this incident". Both inmates were wielding bladed weapons and wearing fake suicide vests during the attack.
The male officer suffered wounds to his face but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
No arrests have been made, the Met Police said.
During his trial at the Old Bailey it was revealed that Ziamani had been inspired by the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby and used the internet to research cadet bases.
He converted to Islam in 2014 and, months later, was arrested in east London in a possession of a 12-inch-long knife and a hammer.
Ziamani was 18 when held in 2014 as part of a joint operation by the Met Police and MI5.
He was jailed for 22 years.
'Brave staff'
The Met Police said it was "deemed appropriate" its counter-terrorism command unit was sent to HMP Whitemoor "due to certain circumstances relating to this incident".
A spokesman said it was "deemed appropriate" for counter-terrorism officers to respond.A spokesman said it was "deemed appropriate" for counter-terrorism officers to respond.
"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," they added.
A prison service spokesman said: "The incident was quickly resolved by our brave staff and our thoughts are with the injured officers at this time.A prison service spokesman said: "The incident was quickly resolved by our brave staff and our thoughts are with the injured officers at this time.
"We do not tolerate assaults on our hardworking officers and will push for the strongest possible punishment.""We do not tolerate assaults on our hardworking officers and will push for the strongest possible punishment."
In a tweet, the general secretary of the Prison Officers Association (POA), Steve Gillan, wrote: "Having liaised with the Whitemoor committee today an official statement will be made tomorrow morning by the POA in a press release.In a tweet, the general secretary of the Prison Officers Association (POA), Steve Gillan, wrote: "Having liaised with the Whitemoor committee today an official statement will be made tomorrow morning by the POA in a press release.
"Nothing will be said on social media by the POA that compromises an ongoing police investigation into a very serious incident.""Nothing will be said on social media by the POA that compromises an ongoing police investigation into a very serious incident."
HMP Whitemoor houses more than 400 Category A and B prisoners on three wings, including a number of the highest-risk inmates.HMP Whitemoor houses more than 400 Category A and B prisoners on three wings, including a number of the highest-risk inmates.
In February last year, a "small number" of prison staff there had to receive medical treatment after violence broke out.In February last year, a "small number" of prison staff there had to receive medical treatment after violence broke out.