Two men have been arrested after being found with a drone outside HMP Hindley, a prison in the UK’s North West, in what authorities believe was an attempt to smuggle contraband into the facility.
According to police, officers on patrol spotted the two men acting suspiciously on Tuesday, January 28. They were tracked as they approached the prison walls, where they were detained. Upon searching the suspects, officers discovered a drone, which was subsequently seized.
Authorities suspect the drone was intended for an illicit drop into the prison. Both men, who are in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison. They have since been bailed pending further investigation.
Growing concerns over drone smuggling in prisons
The arrests come amid increasing concerns over the role of drones in smuggling drugs, weapons and other contraband into prisons. Law enforcement and prison officials have warned that organized crime groups are using drones to bypass traditional security measures, with some experts arguing that prisons are losing control of their own airspace.
In a recent report, the Chief Inspector of Prisons raised alarm over the growing influence of criminal networks inside prisons, stating that authorities have effectively “ceded the airspace” over prisons to organized crime. The report highlighted cases where drones have been used to deliver large quantities of illicit substances and mobile phones, allowing inmates to continue coordinating criminal activity from behind bars.
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Law enforcement response
The arrests at HMP Hindley are part of Operation Gatehouse, a law enforcement initiative aimed at tackling serious organized crime within the prison system and targeting those who attempt to facilitate it.
“These latest arrests should serve as a reminder that we take this type of offending seriously and those who choose to engage in this type of crime can expect to be targeted, arrested and prosecuted,” said PS Dan Canavan from the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
He added that recent patrols around HMP Hindley have helped gather “vital intelligence” leading to the arrests and will support future enforcement efforts.
“We recognise the impact this criminality has within the prison establishments and the wider community,” Canavan said.
Calls for stronger counter-drone measures
While arrests like demonstrates incidents in which law enforcement has been successful with preventative action, there are many cases where counter-drone efforts have fallen short. Last year, prison inspectors reported that drone security levels at HMP Garth are now deemed to be a crisis, suffering from a “breakdown in safety and security”.
The UK government has explored options for enhanced counter-drone measures, including signal-jamming technology and dedicated drone detection systems, but critics argue that prison security has struggled to keep up.
As drone incursions continue to rise, authorities are calling for increased funding and legislative measures to combat their use in organized crime.
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