0:00:00 > 0:00:00That's all from the BBC News at One.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Welcome to BBC London News.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16I'm Victoria Hollins.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18A prison in Hertfordshire is at breaking point,
0:00:18 > 0:00:21according to staff, who say they need 60 more recruits to get
0:00:21 > 0:00:23the unit back under control.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27Neighbours living close to HMP The Mount say they are increasingly
0:00:27 > 0:00:30hearing disturbances at night time after its claimed inmates are locked
0:00:30 > 0:00:34up for hours on end due to officer shortages.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36The Minsistry of Justice says a staff recruitment drive
0:00:36 > 0:00:40is improving the situation, but officers on the ground say it's
0:00:40 > 0:00:41too little too late.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Sarah Harris reports.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47Filmed from inside Mount prison, grenades thrown by riot trained
0:00:47 > 0:00:49staff to restore order after a wing was taken over by prisoners
0:00:49 > 0:00:54in the summer of 2016.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Despite an investigation and promised improvements,
0:00:58 > 0:01:02the union representing wardens on the ground says they are back
0:01:02 > 0:01:04at breaking point at an institution that houses more
0:01:04 > 0:01:06than 1000 prisoners.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09They probably really need another 60 officers.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11It's compounded with different issues.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14You've got sickness because of the working environment,
0:01:14 > 0:01:16then you've got temporary promotion because people aren't promoted
0:01:16 > 0:01:21anymore, which leaves holes on the ground floor,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23which is covered by overtime.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25And then everybody is just getting burnt out
0:01:25 > 0:01:29and burnt out and burnt out.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Over recent months neighbours living close to the prison say they can
0:01:32 > 0:01:35often hear disturbances inside the main block at nightfall.
0:01:35 > 0:01:41For some it's an unsettling time.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44When things go wrong we do hear noise of them shouting,
0:01:44 > 0:01:48presumably banging cups on the windows and things like that.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51The kids get a little bit nervous.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54They sort of want to know whether someone is going to escape
0:01:54 > 0:01:57and we are reassured that is not the case at all, but it does prey
0:01:57 > 0:01:59on your mind a little bit.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Staff at the prison are not allowed to speak out to the media,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06but off camera we've been told it's difficult to see how the situation
0:02:06 > 0:02:11can get much worse, short of another full-scale riot.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13I've just spoken to a prison officer finishing his
0:02:13 > 0:02:15shift here at The Mount.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19He described conditions working here as horrendous.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21He said the staff shortages were so bad that inmates
0:02:21 > 0:02:27here are being locked up for hours and hours on end and any kind
0:02:27 > 0:02:31of relief they get from agency staff isn't much of a help because people
0:02:31 > 0:02:33are so inexperienced they are unable to do anything other
0:02:33 > 0:02:36than just menial tasks.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38He said it was difficult to see how long they can
0:02:38 > 0:02:41carry on like this for, before something serious happens.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Prisoners will get locked up for longer, which feeds their anger
0:02:44 > 0:02:46and feeds their frustration, and then they take it
0:02:46 > 0:02:51out on the fabric of the building and the staff.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55Prison officers have told the union that they only have two thirds
0:02:55 > 0:02:59of the staff they need to run the unit safely and efficiently.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01The Ministry of Justice says they've recruited more
0:03:01 > 0:03:11staff and are continuing to bolster their numbers.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Whether it's the price of presents or the cost of Christmas dinner,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17inflation means many of us will be feeling the pinch this Christmas.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20It's been tough for many of the capital's businesses too -
0:03:20 > 0:03:23grappling with uncertainty over Brexit.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25So what are they hoping for in the New Year,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28as talks on trade and transition get under way.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33Our Brexit reporter Katharine Carpenter been finding out.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37The fire is lit, presents are wrapped, and the tree's decorated.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39But for many of the capital's businesses helping to create
0:03:39 > 0:03:42the Christmas magic, it's been a challenging end
0:03:42 > 0:03:48to the year, with the weaker pound and uncertainty over Brexit.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50These British themed baubles are designed in Shoreditch
0:03:50 > 0:03:54but handcrafted in Poland.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Ania Zankowska says she might have to move the whole business
0:03:56 > 0:03:59there if next year's trade negotiations with the EU
0:03:59 > 0:04:02create more red tape.
0:04:02 > 0:04:10So my main concerns are the value of the pound,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12it is paying VAT to seven of my suppliers and customers.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14At the moment the process is rather smooth.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17When it comes to shipping the goods to the UK,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21no one knows what's going to happen later and paperwork required might
0:04:21 > 0:04:24And getting any clarity on that will take time.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26The government doesn't want to adopt an off-the-shelf trade deal struck
0:04:26 > 0:04:28elsewhere in the world, but businesses keen to get
0:04:28 > 0:04:31on with Brexit worry that crafting a bespoke new future with Europe
0:04:31 > 0:04:34will take too long.
0:04:34 > 0:04:3780% of the globes made here in Stoke Newington are exported.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40They've just had their best month ever and while keeping his largely
0:04:40 > 0:04:42European workforce is important, the company's founder
0:04:42 > 0:04:51says negatively around Brexit is unhelpful.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53We've been put in this situation through London
0:04:53 > 0:04:55ignoring half the country.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58I think we've just got to get on with it.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01For most of us, luxury goods are a one-off purchase,
0:05:01 > 0:05:03but it's our day-to-day shopping where we feel the pinch most.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Inflation is running at a six-year high of 3.1%, outstripping wages,
0:05:07 > 0:05:12and food prices are some of those that have gone up most.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15The Herbert family has run this stall since the '70s.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17They say customers are still stocking up for Christmas
0:05:17 > 0:05:27and they have faced bigger challenges than Brexit.
0:05:31 > 0:05:37Food has never been that dear, but whether it's a bigger hike,
0:05:37 > 0:05:39I haven't noticed.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Has it been a good Christmas for you?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Hopefully it will be, the countdown is on for the weekend,
0:05:44 > 0:05:45but hopefully it should be OK.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48And across London the countdown is on to secure that Brexit
0:05:48 > 0:05:50trade deal and details of a transition phase.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Come the New Year it will be all eyes on Brussels.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55"Kindness" and "commuters" aren't two words you often hear together.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58But one charity is relying on the generosity of London's
0:05:58 > 0:06:01travelling public to provide sleeping bags, clothes,
0:06:01 > 0:06:07food and other necessities to help rough sleepers over Christmas.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Thomas Magill has been to have a look.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12We're just outside Euston train station, where thousands of people
0:06:12 > 0:06:14are beginning their journey up north to see friends, family
0:06:14 > 0:06:15and loved ones for Christmas.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18But for hundreds of others who call the streets of London home,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Christmas is just another day, with the same struggles of having
0:06:21 > 0:06:24to find enough food, somewhere warm and safe to sleep,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28and the basics that you and I take for granted.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31But now a group of people have come together this morning.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35They've set up this makeshift depot, hoping that commuters and others
0:06:35 > 0:06:37passing through the gardens will donate what they can
0:06:37 > 0:06:40for rough sleepers.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42John Glackin is one of the organisers.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44An amazing response so far this morning,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47so what happens to all this stuff?
0:06:47 > 0:06:48Where does it go?
0:06:48 > 0:06:51All this stuff is going directly onto the streets.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55We've asked people to bring us stuff, basic stuff -
0:06:55 > 0:06:59sleeping bags, warm jumpers, scarves, hats, toiletries -
0:06:59 > 0:07:01and this stuff, we will get out onto the streets immediately.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03We will get it out today.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06And of course you put out the message on social media a few
0:07:06 > 0:07:08days ago asking for donations.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11What's your reaction to the response from people?
0:07:11 > 0:07:13It's fantastic, people are coming together in solidarity.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17We are asking people to help each other and it's been
0:07:17 > 0:07:20a brilliant response.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22We've got 100 people who've gone out to Hackney
0:07:22 > 0:07:26and Islington and Brixton, gone all around the town.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30All day we'll be doing this, people coming and going with stuff, simply.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34We're not asking for money, just asking for stuff.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36A very simple response - and it's needed.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40John, thank you for speaking to us this afternoon.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Best of luck with packing everything up.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45The group will be here all day today, and it's hoped by the end
0:07:45 > 0:07:48of this evening all this stuff here will be bagged up
0:07:48 > 0:07:57and distributed across London to those who really need it.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01It's felt rather mild this morning. Let's check on the weather ahead,
0:08:01 > 0:08:02with Elizabeth Rizzini.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11It's miles outside, we had 12 degrees yesterday, but it's rather
0:08:11 > 0:08:16boring, lots of cloud around, and we had outbreaks of drizzle in central
0:08:16 > 0:08:19and western areas. It's pushed southwards. It should be dry for the
0:08:19 > 0:08:23rest of the day. We have a light breeze and once again we're looking
0:08:23 > 0:08:28at highs of 11-12dC. This evening and overnight we do the whole thing
0:08:28 > 0:08:34again. All of that mist and murk is going to reform once more. We'll see
0:08:34 > 0:08:36the breeze picked up a touch as we head into tomorrow morning. We'll
0:08:36 > 0:08:49start the day tomorrow in double figures for some places.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52This is pattern over the course of the weekend. It will be mostly
0:08:52 > 0:08:54dried, a bit of drizzle around, it will turn breezy and that's the
0:08:54 > 0:08:56notable difference. It will stay miles, it will stay mild on
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Christmas Day. This is tomorrow in more detail. We won't see the
0:08:59 > 0:09:01colours change much at all. It will be very similar to today. Possibly
0:09:01 > 0:09:05drier for most areas, slightly windier, highs of around 11 degrees.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09A bit windy again on Sunday. You can see the isobars tightened. The
0:09:09 > 0:09:12weather front of the north of us will not bother as much. It's
0:09:12 > 0:09:16looking dry on Monday. A bit of drizzle possible in the evening. It
0:09:16 > 0:09:21all changes on Boxing Day, some colder air and rain.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24IQ very much.
0:09:24 > 0:09:25That's about it from me.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Riz Lateef will be here with our 6:30pm evening programme.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30But for now from me, have a very happy christmas.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Goodbye.