Youth prison disturbance inquiry

An internal investigation is being carried out by the Prison Service

Tens of thousands of pounds damage was caused to the chapel at a County Durham young offenders institution during a disturbance, police said.

The Home Office said the disturbance at Deerbolt Young Offenders Institution on Sunday involved six inmates.

It started about 0930 GMT and continued for more than seven hours, before a "Tornado Team" of specialist prison officers was sent in.

Durham Police said they are carrying out a criminal investigation.

A Home Office spokeswoman said an internal investigation was being carried out by the Prison Service and the inmates had been transferred.

Stained glass

She said only minor injuries were reported.

A Durham Police spokesman said the damage ran into tens of thousands of pounds and included stained glass windows in the chapel being smashed.

He said the inmates were due to be interviewed along with other staff and inmates.

Deerbolt is a purpose-built institution that opened in 1973 on a former Army Camp on the outskirts of Barnard Castle.

It is a Category C Training Prison and caters for about 500 prisoners between the ages of 18 and 21.