Prison officers to be handed body armour

PRISON officers will be told to wear body armour in high-security prisons, the Government has announced.

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Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood told MPs body armour would be worn in close supervision centres, separation centres and segregation units at the highest categories of prisons in England and Wales.

The news came as shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick repeated his warning that a prison officer could be killed unless stronger action was taken.

An incident at HMP Long Lartin, near Evesham, Worcestershire, on Saturday was the latest in a series of attacks on prison officers in recent months.

The officer had to undergo emergency surgery after being stabbed by an inmate. He is now said to be in a stable condition.