Drone-Delivered Contraband in UK Prisons Poses National Security Threat
Prisons watchdog warns of increasing drone activity facilitating delivery of weapons to high-security jails
Drones delivering contraband to high-security prisons in England have become a significant national security risk, according to the prisons watchdog.
Charlie Taylor, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, has raised alarms over the regularity of drone drops at HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin, Worcestershire, which have the potential to deliver weapons such as guns to inmates.
These concerns stem from recent reports detailing shortcomings in the security measures at the aforementioned facilities.
Highlighted in the reports are systematic failings that have allowed gangs to organize the aerial delivery of contraband, including drugs, smartphones, and weapons, potentially leading to increased violence within the prison walls.
Both facilities house some of the UK's most dangerous inmates, including terrorists and organized crime leaders.
"This is a threat to national security," stated Mr. Taylor in a BBC News interview.
"The capability for weapons to be smuggled into prisons poses significant risks, particularly in Category A facilities like these, which hold individuals involved in organized crime and terrorism.
Their ability to perpetrate serious offences from behind bars, or even orchestrate escapes and hostage situations, is a major concern."
The prison authorities, as observed by Mr. Taylor, have seemingly 'ceded control' of the airspace above the prisons to organized crime groups.
Drones are reportedly carrying up to 3lb (1.3kg) of various contraband items into the facilities.
Mr. Taylor described the presence of weapons such as 'Zombie knives' and warned of the real possibility of firearms being delivered, which could empower inmates to threaten staff and fellow inmates.
Inspection reports revealed significant security lapses, including ineffective CCTV and anti-drone netting at both HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin.
Officers at Manchester prison have observed a frequent presence of drones flying over the facility, particularly at night.
Further complicating matters, inmates were found to be tampering with cell windows and using GPS-enabled phones to coordinate precise delivery points for incoming contraband.
At Long Lartin, items are frequently airdropped in black plastic bags, mimicking garbage discarded by inmates, a tactic that allows undetected retrieval by prisoners posing as cleanup crew members.
This illustrates the evolving methods deployed by organized crime elements to exploit existing vulnerabilities in prison security systems.
In light of these issues, the Ministry of Justice has reportedly ramped up security measures, implementing a new CCTV system and reinforcing anti-drone netting at the affected locations.
"This Government inherited prisons in crisis," stated a Ministry of Justice spokesperson.
"We are addressing this challenge by enhancing prison maintenance and security, collaborating with law enforcement agencies to tackle organized crime, and increasing prison capacity to accommodate dangerous offenders."
The latest urgent notification regarding HMP Manchester places it among other facilities requiring immediate ministerial intervention to address growing violence and security breaches.
This marks the fifth such instance within the year, underscoring the pressing nature of the ongoing crisis in the UK's prison system.
Charlie Taylor, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, has raised alarms over the regularity of drone drops at HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin, Worcestershire, which have the potential to deliver weapons such as guns to inmates.
These concerns stem from recent reports detailing shortcomings in the security measures at the aforementioned facilities.
Highlighted in the reports are systematic failings that have allowed gangs to organize the aerial delivery of contraband, including drugs, smartphones, and weapons, potentially leading to increased violence within the prison walls.
Both facilities house some of the UK's most dangerous inmates, including terrorists and organized crime leaders.
"This is a threat to national security," stated Mr. Taylor in a BBC News interview.
"The capability for weapons to be smuggled into prisons poses significant risks, particularly in Category A facilities like these, which hold individuals involved in organized crime and terrorism.
Their ability to perpetrate serious offences from behind bars, or even orchestrate escapes and hostage situations, is a major concern."
The prison authorities, as observed by Mr. Taylor, have seemingly 'ceded control' of the airspace above the prisons to organized crime groups.
Drones are reportedly carrying up to 3lb (1.3kg) of various contraband items into the facilities.
Mr. Taylor described the presence of weapons such as 'Zombie knives' and warned of the real possibility of firearms being delivered, which could empower inmates to threaten staff and fellow inmates.
Inspection reports revealed significant security lapses, including ineffective CCTV and anti-drone netting at both HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin.
Officers at Manchester prison have observed a frequent presence of drones flying over the facility, particularly at night.
Further complicating matters, inmates were found to be tampering with cell windows and using GPS-enabled phones to coordinate precise delivery points for incoming contraband.
At Long Lartin, items are frequently airdropped in black plastic bags, mimicking garbage discarded by inmates, a tactic that allows undetected retrieval by prisoners posing as cleanup crew members.
This illustrates the evolving methods deployed by organized crime elements to exploit existing vulnerabilities in prison security systems.
In light of these issues, the Ministry of Justice has reportedly ramped up security measures, implementing a new CCTV system and reinforcing anti-drone netting at the affected locations.
"This Government inherited prisons in crisis," stated a Ministry of Justice spokesperson.
"We are addressing this challenge by enhancing prison maintenance and security, collaborating with law enforcement agencies to tackle organized crime, and increasing prison capacity to accommodate dangerous offenders."
The latest urgent notification regarding HMP Manchester places it among other facilities requiring immediate ministerial intervention to address growing violence and security breaches.
This marks the fifth such instance within the year, underscoring the pressing nature of the ongoing crisis in the UK's prison system.
