This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-51062381

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
HMP Whitemoor: Prison officer 'stabbed from behind with bladed weapons' HMP Whitemoor: Prison officer stabbings treated as terror attack
(32 minutes later)
A prison officer who was seriously injured at a maximum-security jail was attacked from behind by two inmates with bladed weapons, a union has said. An attack on prison staff by two inmates with bladed weapons is being treated as a terror attack, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.
Three other officers and a nurse were also injured at HMP Whitemoor in March, Cambridgeshire, on Thursday. Four officers and a nurse were injured at HMP Whitemoor in March, Cambridgeshire, on Thursday.
One attacker is understood to be Brusthom Ziamani, 24, found guilty of preparing an act of terrorism in 2015.One attacker is understood to be Brusthom Ziamani, 24, found guilty of preparing an act of terrorism in 2015.
The Prison Officers Association (POA) described the attack as "cowardly and vicious". All five staff have since been released from hospital and the Met's Counter Terrorism Command is investigating.
The badly injured officer sustained stab injuries to his head, face and back when he was set upon by the two inmates wearing fake suicide belts and using improvised weapons, POA general secretary Steve Gillan said. One officer at the maximum security jail sustained serious stab injuries to his head, face and back when he was attacked from behind by the two inmates wearing fake suicide belts and using improvised weapons, POA general secretary Steve Gillan said.
"There is no doubt in my mind that but for the bravery of staff, then this morning we could have been talking about a death of a prison officer at Whitemoor Prison," he added."There is no doubt in my mind that but for the bravery of staff, then this morning we could have been talking about a death of a prison officer at Whitemoor Prison," he added.
The officer was attacked as the cells were being unlocked on Thursday morning.The officer was attacked as the cells were being unlocked on Thursday morning.
Facial injuriesFacial injuries
He was set upon from behind and the inmates attempted to force him into a storage cupboard he was unlocking.He was set upon from behind and the inmates attempted to force him into a storage cupboard he was unlocking.
The other four members of staff were hurt when they tried to help their colleague.The other four members of staff were hurt when they tried to help their colleague.
They were two male prison officers, one female officer and a prison nurse. One officer was stabbed in the hand, and the others received facial injuries, according to Mr Gillan. They were two male prison officers, one female officer and a prison nurse.
All five were treated in hospital but have since been discharged. Shouts of "Allahu Akbar" (God is the greatest) were reportedly heard during the attack. One officer was stabbed in the hand and the others received facial injuries, according to Mr Gillan.
All five were treated in hospital but have since been discharged.
Shouts of "Allahu Akbar" (God is the greatest) were reportedly heard during the attack.
Ziamani, understood to be one of those responsible, was jailed in 2015 for planning to behead a soldier, the BBC has learned.Ziamani, understood to be one of those responsible, was jailed in 2015 for planning to behead a soldier, the BBC has learned.
In the prison attack, he was assisted by another inmate, a Muslim convert who was serving time for a violent offence.In the prison attack, he was assisted by another inmate, a Muslim convert who was serving time for a violent offence.
The Met said that "due to the circumstances relating to this incident, it was deemed appropriate for the investigation to be carried out by officers from the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command".
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), has now confirmed the matter is being treated as a terror attack.
The force said there was "nothing to suggest any continuing threat inside or outside of the prison system linked to yesterday's incident".
No arrests have yet been made.
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 needed medical treatment after violence broke out.In February last year, a "small number" of prison staff there needed medical treatment after violence broke out.