RIOT-TRAINED officers were said to be on standby amid reports of high tension at Birmingham Prison.

Sources said wings housing inmates were on lockdown in a bid to stop trouble flaring in line with the disturbances across the Midlands.

But last night there were unconfirmed reports of trouble involving lags locked up in the Victorian jail.

A source said: “All wings have been on lockdown. We are on the highest level of risk.”

The source said riot squads had been put on alert in anticipation of any flashpoints because it was unlikely there would be support for prison officers from hard-pressed police.

“It is a major worry because police support is not available. Youths outside the jail are also antagonising the situation at night.”

Staff at prisons in Yorkshire have been put on standby to take in offenders jailed after being sentenced for their part in the lootings in the West Midlands.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice denied prison officers were receiving special riot training or that there had been problems in the prison. He also disputed the claims the jail was on lockdown.

“There is no evidence of this whatsoever,” he said.

People remanded in connection with the disturbances in Birmingham were set to be given a hostile response from hardened criminals, a prison insider revealed. Around 40 accused were taken to HMP Hewell, near Redditch, after appearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

“There are 40 or so of the alleged rioters being sent to HMP Hewell and the prisoners have heard about it,” said the insider.

“Inmates are talking about giving them a hostile reception.

“The prisoners are taking the moral high ground.”