A RISE in violence and drug misuse at HMP Bullingdon pose a safety risk to staff and inmates, according to a new report.

The annual Independent Monitoring Board report released today for the prison near Bicester highlights how prisoner-on-prisoner assaults and attacks on staff have increased in the last year.

Fights and drug finds have also increased according to year-on-year data, with the report authors blaming 'debt-related bullying, gang activity and the volatile nature of young prisoners'.

Other issues highlighted in the report include an 'endemic' loss of prisoner's property, both inside prison and during transfers, and the provision for older prisoners and those with mental health or language difficulties.

Vicki Talbot, IMB Bullingdon Chairman, said: "Once again the Board is seriously concerned by the levels of violence and illegal drug use in Bullingdon prison.

"In our view the prison has suffered greatly in the past from lack of adequate resources to tackle these difficult issues.

"We’ve previously highlighted these matters to the Minister, as indeed have other IMBs around the country. I had the opportunity to air our concerns directly with the Secretary of State on his visit to Bullingdon in July."

She added that prison officer numbers have risen which has led to a safer environment at the prison and said prisoners are treated fairly.