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An additional 10,000 prison officers are set to receive body armour in prisons as ministers increase protection measures following a series of high-profile attacks.

Justice Secretary David Lammy has announced that the number of stab-proof vests will surge from 750 to 10,000 during his visit to Belmarsh prison in south-east London, which houses some of the nation's most dangerous criminals.

A total of 5,000 protective vests, each individually fitted, will be allocated to every prison guard working in high-security facilities.

In addition, 500 Tasers will be provided to trained staff in local response teams based in prisons, a significant increase from the 20 provided to specialist staff when the trial began in July.

This move follows an incident in April where three priso

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