A DANGEROUS haul of weapons has been seized from behind bars at Scotland's largest prison.

The number of knives, razor blades and home-made weapons found inside Barlinnie has soared by more than 170% in the past three years. A contraband haul of drugs, mobile phones and homemade booze has also been uncovered.

In total, there have been more than 100 weapons confiscated from cells at HM Prison Barlinnie since 2010 - the vast majority of them makeshift knives.

Since last April, 38 weapons have been recovered from prisoners in the jail in Glasgow - almost one a week. It was the highest annual figure for three years, up from 32 in 2012/13; 18 in 2011/12; and 14 in 2010/11.

Scottish Labour's justice spokesman Graeme Pearson said the figures raise serious questions about prison security. He said: "Either the staff have become more effective in intercepting contraband or there is a greater number of prisoners involved in smuggling."

The Scottish Prison Service vowed to continue the crackdown on contraband smuggled into its jails.

A spokeswoman said: "Any increase in the number of prohibited items being recovered within our establishments can be attributed to the professionalism and diligence of our staff, advances in technology and the deployment of various methods of detection."