Greater Manchester Police officer stabbed in chest at HMP Frankland in Durham during interview

An investigation is underway after a police officer was stabbed in the chest at a high-security prison in Durham.

The officer, a detective constable from Greater Manchester Police, suffered a single stab wound to the chest at HMP Frankland at about 11am on Tuesday 23 July.

The attack happened during an interview with a remand prisoner, Durham Constabulary said.

He was taken to hospital with critical injuries by ambulance and, following treatment, his condition is currently described as stable.

A man in his 60s has been detained and will be interviewed in due course.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Smiles, who is leading the Durham Constabulary investigation, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with our colleague, who suffered appalling injuries while simply doing his job.

"Thankfully, his condition is no longer critical and we wish him a full and speedy recovery.

“We are liaising with the victim and his family and our investigation is ongoing”.

Earlier on Tuesday Greater Manchester Police said: “An officer from our Major Incident Team was stabbed by an inmate at HM Prison Frankland.

“He was transported to hospital in a critical condition, where he is being treated for his injuries.

“We have made the family aware of this incident and are supporting them through this incredibly difficult time.”

HMP Frankland houses some of the country’s most notorious criminals and in May the Sun reported that an inmate had attacked a fellow prisoner with a claw hammer.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson condemned the incident.

They said: “Violence in prisons is not tolerated and our thoughts are with the brave police officer stabbed at HMP Frankland today.

“Improving the safety of our prisons is one of the Lord Chancellor’s top priorities and she is being kept up-to-date on the situation.”

Meanwhile on Tuesday, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed her concerns about the attack at the prison.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, she said: “Deeply concerning news from HMP Frankland today, where a police officer has been stabbed, though is conscious and talking in hospital.

“I am being kept up to date with all developments. And my thoughts are with that brave officer.”

HMP Frankland is a category A men’s prison, the highest level of security.

Inmates being held at the jail include Damien Bendall, who is serving a whole life term for murdering his partner, Terri Harris, 35, her daughter, Lacey Bennett, 11, her son, John Paul Bennett, 13, and Lacey’s friend, Connie Gent, also 11, in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, in 2021.

The Sun reported in May that he had attacked another inmate at the prison with a claw hammer.

Other prisoners being held at the jail are thought to include Wayne Couzens, the then-serving police officer who kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard, and Levi Bellfield, who killed Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange, and tried to kill Kate Sheedy.

Double murderer and necrophiliac David Fuller appeared via video-link from the jail for his trial for sexually abusing bodies in 2022, while Soham murderer Ian Huntley is also said to be held there.

Liberian war criminal Charles Taylor, who is serving a 50-year sentence, is another notorious Frankland resident.

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