Two prisoners arrested over ‘terror attack’ on staff at high-security jail

Police say two inmates attacked a prison officer while wearing fake suicide vests

The 458-capacity HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire (Google Maps)

Two men have been arrested over an alleged terror attack inside a high-security prison.

The inmates, aged 24 and 26, are accused of attacking prison officers with improvised bladed weapons at HMP Whitemoor.

The Metropolitan Police said the inmates were wearing fake suicide vests during the incident on 9 January.

The pair, who have not yet been officially named, have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and preparation of a terrorist act.

They were taken to a London police station for questioning on Monday and remain in custody.

A prison officer suffered stab wounds to his head, chest and face during the attack, and four other members of staff suffered injuries as they stepped in to help.

All five injured people, including a prison nurse, have since been released from hospital.

HMP Whitemoor, in Cambridgeshire, is a maximum security men’s prison holding up to 458 inmates.

The incident was the second alleged terror attack to strike Britain in little over a month, following a stabbing that killed two people near London Bridge.

It was followed by the Streatham attack and another potential terrorist incident at HMP Winchester.

Last week, an emergency terror law came into effect that blocks the automatic early release of terror offenders and requires them to be assessed by the Parole Board.