ANOTHER RIOT

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 March 1946, Page 5

ANOTHER RIOT

MILITARY PRISONERS

BARRACKS WRECKED AND SET ON FIRE

TROOPS RENDERED HELPLESS (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 1. Rioting broke out to-day in North Allerton military prison, but the War Office stated that the riot was well in hand late in the afternoon. The National Fire Service used hoses to qulel the fire and also attempt to restrain the rioters. Unarmed troops were unable to approach the prisoners, who took to the roof of the barracks block,* tore up tiles and threw them at the guards. The rioters taunted and jeered at the guards and called:“Come and get us!” The troops made a move, but a barrage of stones and broken roofing forced them to beat a hasty retreat. The troops cordoned off the building, but were forced to stand by helpleslly and listen to the sounds of. the rioters wrecking the interior. Tthe Northern Command stated that the riot was confined to about 70 prisoners lodged in one hall. The rioters broke into the barracks’ stores and started a fire. Fifty soldiers were called in from a nearby depot. None of the rioters came from Aidershot. One missile thrown from the roof injured a guard. The Press Association recalls that there were two mass escapes from North Allerton early in January, when prisoners broke parades and rushed the gates.