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VAPE BLAZES
Shock surge in number of lags setting fire to their cells – and vapes are to blame
The most blazes were recorded at HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Gtr Manchester
THE number of lags setting fire to their cells has more than doubled in four years — with soaring numbers of vapes to blame.
Inmates started a record 2,931 blazes deliberately or by accident in the year to March 2023, well up on the 1,273 between 2019 and 2020.
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It is believed the 126 per cent surge was caused by vape pens — either smuggled in, or bought with cash earned for jail work.
The most blazes — 137 — were recorded at HMP Forest Bank in Salford, Gtr Manchester.
An insider told The Sun: “E-cigs have become so common that they can easily start fires.
“Even if they are minor, it takes a lot of time and effort to sort out and that distracts officers from other duties.”
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The number of contraband e-cigs in jails is not recorded but officers made 4,673 discoveries of tobacco last year.
Labour minister Sir Nic Dakin, who released the figures, said: “The majority of fires were minor.
“Where it is found that a fire is the result of arson, or recklessness, the prisoner will face robust punitive action, which can include further charges.”
A Prison Service spokeswoman said: “To further reduce the risk of fires, we have introduced an ignition-free Safer Vape Pen which restricts the ability to start a fire.”
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