A police officer is “conscious and talking” in hospital after being stabbed in the chest at Frankland Prison, Durham Police said.

The officer, who is from an outside force, was injured just after 11am on Tuesday, and was taken to hospital and is said to be conscious and talking.

In a statement, a Durham Police spokesman said: “Shortly after 11am this morning, Durham Constabulary were called to an incident at HMP Frankland in Durham City.

“A police officer, who was visiting the facility from an outside force, suffered a stab wound to the chest during the incident.

“The injured officer has been taken to hospital by ambulance, where he is described as being ‘conscious and talking’.”

HMP Frankland, in Brasside, Durham, is a category A prison, the highest level of security, meaning some of the worst offenders are locked up there. 

Further details about the attack have not been released.