Law enforcement and Gefängnisleitung across England and Wales have announced they are intensifying efforts to combat organized crime gangs using drones to smuggle contraband into prisons. The initiative is part of the UK Government’s broader “Plan for Change” strategy aimed at restoring order and safety within the prison system.
According to newly released data, drone-related incidents at prisons surged by 43% in the last financial year, with 1,712 incidents recorded between April 2024 and March 2025.
One incident – reported by the BBC – showed a drone dropping a large package inside the walls of HMP Wandsworth in the early hours of June 21.
In response, the government has announced a new £900,000 investment to bolster counter-drone operations, supplementing the £40 million already allocated this year for prison security upgrades such as reinforced windows and perimeter netting.
Nine individuals were arrested during two recent operations at HMP Manchester and HMP Wandsworth. Authorities say similar actions are planned in the coming months.
“The ease with which drones were operating over prisons was yet another sign of the chaotic prison system we inherited last July,” said Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord Timpson.
“As part of the Plan for Change, we are tackling the organized crime gangs behind the drug supply routes so that our prisons can start cutting crime and stop creating better criminals.”
One of the drones seized during the Wandsworth operation was valued at £6,000 and featured a 40-minute flight time with the capacity to carry four separate payloads.
In a separate incident, West Mercia Police arrested four individuals earlier this month for flying drones over the high-security HMP Long Lartin.
“Tackling the use of drones to smuggle drugs, weapons, and other illicit items into prisons is one of our top priorities,” said Detective Superintendent Claire McGuire of the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit. “These activities fuel organized crime and pose serious risks to both staff and inmates.
“We continue to work closely with national partners, including His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service, the National Crime Agency, local police forces, and intelligence teams to disrupt this criminal behavior and prevent contraband from entering prison estates. By sharing intelligence and coordinating operations, we are strengthening our collective response to this growing threat.”
The Ministry of Justice also released the latest Safety in Custody statistics, which show 20,570 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults and 10,568 assaults on staff in the 12 months leading up to March 2025. Officials say reducing the flow of contraband is key to curbing violence within the prison system.
VERWANDTER INHALT: Behörden arbeiten an der Bekämpfung des Drohnenschmuggels über britischen Gefängnissen
Post Image Credit: BBC Newsnight.
