Assaults in prisons in England and Wales rise to average of 74 a day

Research for Lib Dems shows nearly 27,000 assaults were recorded last year, with about 3,200 deemed serious

Assaults in prisons have been rising with an average of 74 a day recorded in England and Wales last year, including 25 assaults a day inflicted on staff, House of Commons library research has shown.

The figures, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, show that of the 26,912 assaults that took place over the course of the year, about 3,200 were deemed to be serious - an average of eight a day.