WEAPON attacks in prisons have rocketed five-fold in less than a decade, figures show.
Serious injuries have risen as the violent use of knives, dangerous liquids and thrown furniture have soared.
Safety in Custody records reveal there were 7,471 weapons assaults last year, up from 1,473 in 2010.
Assaults in total rose to 25,198 from 12,862, with stabbings at 218, up from 45 in nine years.
The Government has spent £100million to boost prison safety, including search teams.
But Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy said ministers must “get a grip” on the chaos.
He added: “Knife crime has soared under the Tories, including in prisons.
“Prison should keep people away from crime, not drag them into it.
“Increasing numbers of weapons in prisons are dangerous for staff and inmates.
“After a decade of cuts, understaffing and overcrowding, the government is rapidly losing control of our prisons. It urgently needs to get a grip.”
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