Two deaths and a series of alleged sex assaults at Cumbria's only prison are being investigated by police.

A special operation has been set up to probe goings-on at HMP Haverigg, amid mounting fears over safety.

In a further twist, the number of inmates at the jail is to be slashed by 50 per cent following intervention by the National Offender Management Service.

Some staff at HMP Haverigg also face the axe as part of the dramatic move, it is understood.

It means the capacity of the jail will fall to 286 - with the process of moving prisoners due to start this week.

A spokesman for Cumbria Constabulary said today: “Cumbria Constabulary is investigating a number of reports of physical and sexual assaults within HMP Haverigg.

"The investigations come under the banner of Operation Knightsbridge.

“The Op Knightsbridge team are also investigating the circumstances of two deaths that occurred at the prison in June 2016 and July 2016 on behalf of Her Majesty’s Coroner.

“HMP Haverigg is co-operating fully with the investigation.”

It is understood police were called after a sharp increase in the number of inmate on inmate sexual assaults at the sprawling Category C site.

As part of moves to address the problems, a number of residential units at the jail will close.

Inmates were informed of the decision late last week.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: “We take any allegations of unacceptable or inappropriate behaviour extremely seriously and are giving our full support and co-operation to the police as their investigation moves forward.

“As there is an ongoing police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”