Summary

  • Updates for Friday, 11 November 2016

  • Stevenage "new town" turns 70

  • Trains services into London from Beds and Herts returning to normal

  • 'World's oldest' poppy seller reflects on Armistice Day

  1. Weather: Another cold and breezy daypublished at 08:39 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Kate Kinsella
    BBC Look East weather

    Another breezy and cold day, with north to north easterly winds and showers mixed in. 

    The showers will move further south through parts of Suffolk and Essex - with one or two feeding in from The Wash later. 

    Winds gradually easing, with sunny spells as the maximum temperature ranges between 5 and 9C (41F-48F). Watch my full regional forecast here:

    Media caption,

    Cold, with showers

    BBC Weather has more details.    

  2. Bedford Prison 'effectively taken over'published at 08:27 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Nikki Jenkins
    BBC Local Live

    The Howard League for Penal Reform says Bedford Prison was "effectively taken over" by inmates yesterday, which is a huge cause for concern. 

    Andrew Neilson from the charity said: "We've seen a massive increase in violence in prisons, prisoner assaults, also prisoner also assaults on staff. 

    "We've also seen a big increase in self-harm and suicide incidents. 

    "There are lots of problems in the prison system, but what we haven't seen is the scale of disorder, where effectively the prison is taken over. That is rare and extremely concerning."

  3. HMP Bedford riot: Timelinepublished at 08:04 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    Last night's riot came to an end after six hours, with more than 200 inmates believed to be involved. 

    • 17:00: All three emergency services were alerted when prisoners in the Category B jail armed themselves with makeshift weapons before ransacking offices and cupboards. Inmates had barricaded themselves in C wing in the Victorian jail after going on the rampage.
    • 21:00: A team of prison officers carrying riot shields arrived at the front of jail, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
    • Midnight: The Prison Officers Association released a statement to say the situation had been "successfully resolved".
    • After the riot was quelled, a fleet of prisoner transportation vehicles were deployed to transfer inmates involved to jails all over the country.
  4. Bedford Prison inmates 'could get drugs easier than clothes or bedding'published at 07:56 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    Earlier we told you the general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, Steve Gillan, said the organisation had been "warning about this situation of violence in our prisons".

    A recent report on HMP Bedford also revealed problems...

    HMP Bedford

    The critical report published in September set out the findings made by the HM Inspectorate of Prisons in May.  

    In it, inmates claimed it was easier to get hold of drugs than clothes or bedding

    It revealed almost twice the number of prisoners said it was "easy" to access drugs, compared to a previous inspection in February 2014.

    The number saying they had developed a drug problem while at the prison increased from 4% to 14%.

    At the time, Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said Bedford was "a good example of everything that is wrong with the prison system".

  5. HMP Bedford riot was 'concerted ill-discipline'published at 07:42 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    The general secretary of the Prison Officers Association (POA) has said the incident at HMP Bedford involved "concerted ill-discipline".  

    HMP BedfordImage source, South Beds News Agency

    Steve Gillan said some officers had retreated to a "safe place" and riot-trained teams had been deployed.

    "The POA has been warning about this situation of violence in our prisons - it would appear it's coming to fruition," he said. 

  6. HMP Bedford riot: Pictures from the scenepublished at 07:38 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    More pictures from the scene last night where there were many comings and goings.

    HMP BedfordImage source, South Beds News Agency
    HMP BedfordImage source, South Beds News Agency
    HMP BedfordImage source, South Beds News Agency
    HMP BedfordImage source, South Beds News Agency
  7. HMP Bedford 'riot': Road remains closedpublished at 07:26 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    BBC Travel

    The A4280 Bromham Road between the Roise Street / The Crescent junction and the St Loyes Street / Adelaide Square junction remains closed in both directions this morning due to last night's riot at HMP Bedford Prison.

    Get the lastest updates from BBC Travel.   

  8. HMP Bedford riot: Pictures from the scenepublished at 07:20 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    Here are some pictures from the scene at Bedford Prison last night where more than 200 inmates caused a disturbance.

    HMP BedfordImage source, South Beds News Agency
    HMP BedfordImage source, South Beds News Agency
    HMP BedfordImage source, South Beds News Agency
    HMP BedfordImage source, South Beds News Agency
  9. HMP Bedford: Investigation to take placepublished at 07:12 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    The disturbance at HMP Bedford, which began at about 17:00 on Sunday, looks to have been resolved by midnight.

    Bedford PrisonImage source, South Beds News Agency

    The Prison Officers Association said an investigation will take place into the incident where about 230 inmates got out of their cells and seized keys, broke into medicine stores and started small fires - adding those prisoners who took part "will be punished".

    It said the situation was brought under control after an operation that lasted more than six hours.

    A spokesman said: "Specially trained prison officers and staff from the emergency services have successfully resolved an incident involving a number of prisoners at HMP Bedford.

    "We are absolutely clear that prisoners who behave in this way will be punished and could spend significantly longer behind bars."

  10. More than 200 inmates riot at Bedford Prisonpublished at 07:10 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    A "riot" at HMP Bedford, thought to involve at least 200 inmates, has been "successfully resolved", the Prison Service has said.

    Bedford PrisonImage source, South Beds News Agency

    Scores of prisoners reportedly flooded the prison's gangways in chaotic scenes at about 17:00 GMT on Sunday.

    Police and specially-trained guards were called to the Category B prison amid reports of loud bangs or explosions coming from inside.

    The prison service said no staff were hurt but two prisoners were treated, although their injuries were not thought to be serious.

  11. Welcome back to live updates for Beds, Herts and Buckspublished at 07:04 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    Good morning and welcome to another day of regular live updates of news, sport, weather, travel and more.

    Today we'll start by looking at last night's disturbance at Bedford Prison where a "riot" thought to involve at least 200 inmates was brought under control in the early hours. 

    Bedford Prison riotImage source, South Beds News Agency

    If you'd like to get in touch, you can email ustweet us, external or contact us via Facebook, external.     

  12. MOTD3: 'Sensational' Liverpool surprising fanspublished at 06:10 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Match of the Day 3 pundits Danny Murphy and Alan Shearer discuss Liverpool's "sensational" form under manager Jurgen Klopp, which has helped them to the top of the Premier League table.

    Read More
  13. How Bedford Prison trouble unfoldedpublished at 00:02 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2016

    Ben Ando reports from outside HMP Bedford, where a "riot" thought to involve 200 inmates, has been "successfully resolved".

    Read More
  14. Liverpool can win the title - Mazzarripublished at 17:53 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2016

    Watford manager Walter Mazzarri says Liverpool "can win the title" after his side were crushed 6-1 by the Reds at Anfield.

    Read More
  15. Klopp 'really happy' with 'wonderful' winpublished at 17:07 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2016

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is "really happy" after a "wonderful" 6-1 win over Watford at Anfield puts the Reds top of the Premier League for the first time under the German.

    Read More
  16. Liverpool 6-1 Watfordpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2016

    Liverpool's emphatic victory over Watford sends them top of the Premier League for the first time under manager Jurgen Klopp.

    Read More
  17. Liverpool v Watfordpublished at 09:51 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2016

    Follow live text coverage from the Premier League as Liverpool host Watford at Anfield.

    Read More
  18. Highlights: Portsmouth 1-2 Wycombepublished at 22:04 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2016

    Adebayo Akinfenwa's looping header seven minutes from time gives Wycombe a 2-1 win over Portsmouth in their first round FA Cup tie at Fratton Park.

    Read More
  19. Highlights: Port Vale 1-0 Stevenagepublished at 20:02 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2016

    Remie Streete's 38th-minute header was enough to give Port Vale a 1-0 win over Stevenage in their FA Cup first round match at Vale Park.

    Read More
  20. Milton Keynes Dons 3-2 Spennymoor Townpublished at 18:56 Greenwich Mean Time 5 November 2016

    MK Dons are given a scare by Spennymoor after opening a three-goal lead before reaching round two of the FA Cup.

    Read More