In the wake of a violent attack by Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, on prison officers at HMP Frankland, the UK's prison staff are calling for enhanced safety measures. The incident, which involved homemade knives and hot oil, has reignited the debate over the safety of prison officers working with high-risk inmates. Mark Fairhurst, national chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, emphasized the need for tactical options like stun guns to neutralize threats effectively.

Official figures reveal a disturbing rise in violence within UK prisons, with HMP Frankland experiencing its highest assault rates in nearly a decade. The Ministry of Justice reported a record number of assaults on staff across England and Wales, underscoring the urgent need for improved security measures. In response, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a trial deployment of Tasers and a review into the provision of stab vests for prison officers.

The attack at HMP Frankland has also prompted a temporary suspension of kitchen access for inmates in separation units, highlighting concerns over the management of high-risk prisoners. The move comes as part of broader efforts to reassess and enhance the safety protocols within the UK's prison system, ensuring the protection of both staff and inmates.

As the Ministry of Justice continues to evaluate the effectiveness of current security measures, the incident at HMP Frankland serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by prison officers. The call for stun guns and body armor reflects a growing consensus on the need for more robust protections in an increasingly volatile environment. The outcome of the ongoing reviews and trials will be closely watched by all stakeholders in the criminal justice system.

London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."