Police are investigating an alleged attack on a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh by Axel Rudakubana, an 18-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for the brutal murders of three young girls. The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, May 8, 2025, when Rudakubana poured boiling water over the officer using a kettle he heated in his cell.
The prison officer was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure but was discharged later that evening. Fortunately, the officer only suffered minor injuries and is expected to return to work next week, starting on May 12, 2025.
Rudakubana, who was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in January 2025, committed his crimes during a horrific attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29, 2024, where he murdered Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. Additionally, he injured ten others, including class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, who attempted to disarm him.
A spokesperson for the Prison Service stated, “Police are investigating an attack on a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh yesterday. Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest possible punishment for attacks on our hardworking staff.”
The alleged attack by Rudakubana marks a significant concern regarding security at HMP Belmarsh, a high-security prison. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick called the incident the “third astonishing security failure at a top security prison,” highlighting ongoing issues with prison safety. In a statement on X, he expressed frustration, saying, “Warning after warning has been ignored. I personally raised security at HMP Belmarsh just last week. This is a full-blown crisis. No more lengthy ‘reviews’ – the Justice Secretary needs to act NOW.”
Statistics from the Ministry of Justice reveal that assaults on staff in adult prisons in England and Wales have reached their highest level in a decade. In 2024, there were 10,605 recorded assaults on staff in both male and female jails, a significant increase from 9,204 in 2023 and nearly three times the 3,640 recorded in 2014.
This alarming trend follows a series of violent incidents within the prison system. For instance, just weeks before Rudakubana's alleged attack, Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, was reported to have attacked four guards with hot oil and homemade weapons at HMP Frankland in County Durham. Abedi was subsequently transferred to Belmarsh, raising further concerns about the safety of prison staff.
In response to the surge in attacks, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood previously announced plans to trial the use of tasers in prisons. Additionally, the Prison Service will conduct a “snap review” of the use of protective body armor for prison officers, aiming to enhance their safety.
The inquiry into the Southport murders, which began in April 2025, is expected to assess the circumstances surrounding the attack and how lessons can be learned to prevent future incidents. The Attorney General had previously rejected calls for the Court of Appeal to review the length of Rudakubana's jail sentence, which was set at a minimum of 52 years, meaning he cannot be considered for release until he has served that time.
Rudakubana's case has drawn significant media attention due to the nature of his crimes and the ongoing security failures within the prison system. His minimum term of 52 years means he will not be eligible for parole until he is 70 years old. Despite the gravity of his offenses, he avoided a whole life sentence because he was just nine days too young at the time of his crimes.
The ongoing investigation into the alleged attack on the prison officer at HMP Belmarsh emphasizes the pressing need for reform and enhanced security measures within the prison system. With the number of assaults on staff rising, the call for immediate action from government officials and prison authorities is becoming increasingly urgent.
The situation at HMP Belmarsh and the broader prison system raises critical questions about the safety of prison staff and the effectiveness of current policies. As investigations continue, the hope is that meaningful changes will be implemented to protect those working within the penal system.
