Emergency services have been called to a fire in a prison.

Thetford & Brandon Times: HMP Wayland. Picture: Ian BurtHMP Wayland. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant)

Three fire engines, police and ambulance services were called to HMP Wayland on Friday, January 4 following reports of a fire in a cell, which was extinguished before arrival. No serious injuries were received.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “A small fire was set in a cell and was quickly dealt with by prison staff. No-one was harmed during the incident and the cell will be back in use this evening.”

In December 2018 concerns were raised over staffing levels and violence at HMP Wayland in the Independent Monitoring Board’s annual report.

The board said it was concerned at the number of violent incidents that have occurred at the Category C prison, which houses 1,000 inmates, and that almost half of staff are in their first year of service. 20 of 72 new officers recruited during 2017/18 left in less than a year.