Up to 600 inmates are thought to be involved in a riot at a privately-run jail, Sky sources say.

At least three prisoners have been wounded, including one "badly injured", and inmates have set fires at HMP Birmingham, in Winson Green.

The trouble reportedly started when prisoners broke lights, got hold of fire hoses and then one officer was threatened with a used syringe by an inmate before another took his keys.

Image: Fires appear to have been started at the jail

Prisoners have taken over the gym and also the security equipment store, which includes batons, according to Sky sources.

Inmates are believed to have initially taken control of wings L, M, N and P - but a source later said authorities had "recovered control" of at least one wing.




Pictures have emerged apparently showing some of them wearing prison officers' equipment, including helmets.

"Terrified" prisoners in another wing have expressed concern that rioters are trying to force their way into that section.

:: Riot at HMP Birmingham is 'not a surprise'

Image: Broken windows at the jail

Specialist 'Tornado' prison teams are attempting to regain control of the 1,450 capacity jail and police riot officers have also arrived.

Some inmates have reportedly claimed the riot began because they were unable to watch TV or go to the gym, while others have complained about a lack of hot water in the showers, and also prison food.

Image: This is thought to be the scene inside HMP Birmingham

A prisoner told the Birmingham Mail that a wing "has been destroyed", adding: "The big issue was the exercise and the gym. It was not just one group though, everybody had the same vibe."

He went on: "They got the keys and then picked up some helmets, shields and equipment that had been left in the offices.

"They also used a push up bar to break the chains between wings and that is how it has been spreading between wings."

The Ministry of Justice said the situation was "contained, the perimeter is secure and there is no risk to the public". No prison officers have been injured.

Image: Smoke was seen rising above the prison

A spokesman for G4S, which operates the prison, confirmed the incident began just after 9am on Friday.

He said dog units had also been deployed.

Prison affairs expert Alex Cavendish said once prisoners have control of keys, protocol means officers must "withdraw to a place of safety" and said they would have "abandoned the wing" where the disturbance broke out.

He said the riot was probably the most serious since Strangeways in 1990 - where unrest lasted for 25 days and some prisoners got on the roof of the Manchester jail.

In the latest incident, inmates are believed to have gained access to the offender management unit, where they were destroying their records.

The rest of the jail is under lockdown and inmates have been returned to their cells.

Image: Fire engines were called to the scene

Mike Rolfe, chairman of the Prison Officers Association (POA) ,said the "serious incident" was "another stark warning to the Ministry of Justice that the service is in crisis".

The Victorian category B prison was built in 1849.

It is the third disturbance at an English prison in less than two months.

On 6 November, 200 inmates went on a rampage at Bedford Prison and a national response unit had to be sent to an incident at HMP Lewes in East Sussex on 29 October.

POA members held protests outside jails last month amid health and safety concerns and after figures showed rising levels of violence inside jails.