Shrewsbury Prison staff face youth gang ordeal as mob rush entrance and kick gates
A gang of youths abused staff at the Shrewsbury Prison visitor attraction and kicked gates after bursting into the venue as workers tried to close for the day.
The unsavoury incident took place as staff attempted to shut at the end of their shift at around 5.30pm on Sunday.
Footage of the incident shows ten or more youths – some hooded and some wearing face coverings – running into the facility as workers opened the gates to leave the premises.
Joel Campbell, CEO of The Cove Group which runs Shrewsbury Prison, said the staff had asked the youngsters to leave but were met with abuse and aggression.
As they were ushered out of the site CCTV footage shows a large object being thrown and a kick being aimed as the staff attempted to close the gates.
The police were called but Mr Campbell said they had been reluctant to take statements or CCTV in relation to the incident.
It was however reported again with the force the following day.
Mr Campbell said: "Once they got the kids out they closed the gates but that is when they started kicking the gates."
He added: "They would not leave and were waiting outside so they called the police but when they turned up the kids scattered."
It is understood that there have been no arrests in relation to the incident.
Mr Campbell said there was an irony in that the prison has been providing its own 'Education Behind Bars' initiative – designed to help steer youngsters away from criminal behaviour.
He said: "Efforts to calm the situation were met with intensified aggression, underscoring the pressing need for effective interventions for at-risk youth."
Mr Campbell said the Education Behind Bars programme is designed to provide a constructive path for young people showing signs of criminal behaviour.
The intention is to equip participants with the 'understanding and skills necessary to make positive life choices', 'emphasising the consequences of criminal actions within the context of a prison environment'.
Mr Campbell said the prison was now encouraging the youths involved in the incident to come and get involved in the programme – ideally through their schools.
He said the programme would offer them 'an insightful look into the realities of prison life and the consequences awaiting criminals', including direct interactions with the staff affected by the recent incident.
He said: "Our priority has been to support our staff, ensuring they have the necessary resources to recover from this horrible experience.
"We're collaborating with local organisations to prevent future incidents and urging educators, policymakers, and the local police force to recognise the challenges our community faces.
"This incident at Shrewsbury Prison serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges in addressing youth violence and the crucial role of educational programmes in fostering change.
"The 'Education Behind Bars' programme stands as a transformative opportunity for troubled youths, aiming to replace narratives of violence with those of redemption, education, and positive change. Having the programme run within a real prison demonstrates the stark reality of the future that awaits those who continue down a path of criminal behaviour."
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "We were called to The Dana in Shrewsbury following a report of ASB at around 5.35pm on Sunday 4 February. When officers arrived on scene the youths had already dispersed and no damage of the gate was recorded, therefore no further action was required."