Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Saturday 12th April 2025 at 19:00hrs
Three prison officers at HMP Frankland in County Durham were hospitalised following a serious assault on Saturday morning, with the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, Hashem Abedi, allegedly identified as the attacker.
Durham Police confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is currently underway. In a statement released this evening, the force said:
“An investigation is underway following a serious assault which occurred at Frankland prison, Durham today.
Three victims were taken to hospital to be treated where two remain with serious injuries and a third has been discharged. Enquiries are now ongoing.”
It is alleged that the officers had hot cooking pills thrown over them before being stabbed with makeshift weapons.
The North East Ambulance Service detailed the scale of the emergency response, confirming they were called to the prison at 10:50 AM.
They dispatched a significant number of resources, including two paramedic ambulance crews, a doctor in a rapid response vehicle, the air ambulance with a second doctor, a specialist paramedic, a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) crew, and a duty officer.
A spokesperson stated that three patients were treated at the scene before being transported to hospital by road, with two being accompanied by a doctor.
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) issued a strong statement expressing their concern and support for the injured staff.
“First and foremost, my thoughts are with the injured staff, their families and colleagues,” said a POA representative.
“No Officer should be subject to cowardly and vicious attacks at work. The POA will support our members as much as we need during this traumatic time, this attack displays the dangers brave Prison Officers face on a daily basis.”
The POA highlighted the nature of the prisoners held in separation centres like the one at HMP Frankland, stating they “hold the most dangerous terrorist offenders who simply do not wish to alter their ideology and as this event confirms, are determined to inflict violence on those who hold them securely.”
The union called for an immediate review of the freedoms afforded to prisoners in separation centres.
“We must now review the freedoms we allow separation centre prisoners have. I am of the opinion that allowing access to cooking facilities and items that can threaten the lives of staff should be removed immediately.
These prisoners need only receive their basic entitlements and we should concentrate on control and containment instead of attempting to appease them. Things have to change.”
The Prison Service also released a statement confirming the attack and the hospitalisation of three officers.
“Three prison officers have been treated in hospital after an attack by a prisoner at HMP Frankland,” a spokesperson said.
“Police are now investigating so it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest punishment for attacks on our hard-working staff.”
HMP Frankland, often referred to as “Monster Mansion,” is a high-security prison that houses some of the UK’s most dangerous criminals.
Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi, is serving a life sentence at the facility for his involvement in the 2017 terror attack that killed 22 people.
This alleged attack will likely raise further questions about security measures within high-security prisons and the management of individuals convicted of terrorism offences.
The ongoing police investigation is expected to provide more details in due course.
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