Hashem Abedi, the convicted terrorist behind the Manchester Arena bombing, launched a brutal attack on three prison officers at the United Kingdom’s HMP Frankland using boiling oil and homemade knives, igniting a nationwide outcry over prison security failures.
At a Glance
- Hashem Abedi assaulted three officers at HMP Frankland with hot oil and improvised weapons
- One officer sustained life-threatening injuries; two others were hospitalized
- The attack occurred in a high-security separation unit designed to contain extremist inmates
- Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick condemned the attack and called for immediate reforms
- Counter Terrorism Policing North East is leading the investigation into the incident
Violent Assault in High-Security Prison
On April 12, 2025, Hashem Abedi, serving a 55-year sentence for his role in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, attacked three prison officers at HMP Frankland in County Durham. Abedi threw boiling cooking oil over the officers and stabbed them with improvised 20cm blades. One officer suffered life-threatening neck injuries and was airlifted to the hospital, while the other two sustained serious wounds; one has since been discharged, according to a report by The Times.
Watch Sky News’ report on the HMP Frankland attack.
Security Measures Under Scrutiny
The assault took place within HMP Frankland’s separation unit, a facility designed to isolate inmates with extremist ideologies. Despite its purpose, the unit allowed inmates access to cooking facilities, which Abedi exploited to carry out the attack. This incident has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of current security protocols in managing high-risk prisoners, as highlighted by The Times.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed her outrage, stating, “I am appalled by the attack of three brave officers at HMP Frankland today. My thoughts are with them and their families. The police are now investigating. I will be pushing for the strongest possible punishment. Violence against our staff will never be tolerated.”
Calls for Immediate Reform
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has called for a comprehensive review of the privileges granted to inmates in separation units. Mark Fairhurst, the POA’s National Chair, emphasized the need to restrict access to items that could be used as weapons, stating that such prisoners should only receive basic entitlements, according to The Guardian.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick criticized current policies, questioning why a high-risk inmate like Abedi had access to materials that could facilitate such an attack. He called for a full independent investigation into what he described as a “catastrophic security failure,” as reported by The Independent.
Broader Implications for Prison Security
This incident is not isolated; Abedi had previously assaulted a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh in 2020. The recurrence of such attacks highlights systemic issues within the prison system’s handling of extremist inmates. Experts and union leaders are urging immediate reforms to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of prison staff, according to The Times.
The Ministry of Justice has launched a comprehensive review of the incident, and Counter Terrorism Policing North East is leading the ongoing investigation. As the situation develops, there is a growing consensus on the need for stricter controls and revised protocols to manage high-risk prisoners effectively.
