ATTACKS by inmates on staff at an East Yorkshire prison have totalled at least 10 a year since 2008, new figures have revealed.

Prisoners inside HMP Full Sutton have assaulted guards 175 times since 2000 while 15 incidents were recorded last year at the Pocklington maximum security prison.

Attacks peaked in 2008 when 21 people were assaulted but dropped by seven a year later and fell to 11 by 2011.

However, by last year, the numbers had slowly began to rise.

Ed Cornmell, governor of HMP Full Sutton, said: "We manage a complex and challenging prison population and all assaults are treated extremely seriously. "Staff work professionally to build positive relationships with prisoners whilst in custody and act proactively to prevent any risks to safety.

"Any attack on our hardworking staff is clearly unacceptable and we will always push for the most serious charges to be laid against those who carry out these assaults."

The Ministry of Justice figures also revealed they were 639 incidents of assaults, including fights, at Full Sutton over the same period of time.

Last year the prison recorded 31 incidents, a decrease of five since 2012.

The damning numbers come as it was announced last month that attacks on staff working in prisons across the country is at its highest level for eight years, leading to new measures being announced for staff to receive greater protection from violent inmates.

Chris Grayling, justice secretary, said: "Violence in prisons is not tolerated and assaults on our hardworking staff are unacceptable.

"I do not underestimate the hard work and challenges that prison staff face on a daily basis which is why we have been working extremely closely with the police and CPS to tackle this issue."