The UK Ministry of Justice has launched a new industry challenge to develop technologies aimed at countering drones used to smuggle contraband into prisons. The Counter-Drone Challenge, announced on November 4, will provide up to £60,000 in funding for selected companies to develop proof-of-concept solutions over a 12-week period.
The initiative is being run through His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre Co-Creation, which facilitates collaboration between government and private-sector technology developers.
The challenge comes amid a sharp rise in drone activity linked to organised crime groups. According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of drone-related incidents in prisons increased by more than 770 percent between 2019 and 2023, with drones frequently used to deliver drugs, mobile phones and other illicit materials to inmates.
The government has already allocated £40 million in 2025 to strengthen prison security, including £10 million for anti-drone measures such as reinforced windows and external netting. However, officials say new approaches are needed to keep pace with evolving tactics and modified drones designed to avoid current detection systems.
Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said the challenge is intended to spur innovation across the private sector:
“We have taken decisive action to combat the scourge of drones in prisons – investing heavily in physical security and cutting-edge technology,” he said. “This challenge will help us harness innovation to keep staff safe, disrupt criminal networks and support prisoner rehabilitation.”
Proposals submitted to the challenge must be legally compliant and simple for staff to operate. The Ministry of Justice said the competition forms part of a broader effort to work more closely with industry on prison security technology. It follows a showcase held in July in which companies demonstrated solutions aimed at improving safety and monitoring inside prisons.
Winning proposals will be selected early next year, with the aim of transitioning successful technologies into operational use if trials prove effective.
ПОВ'ЯЗАНОГО З ЦИМ КОНТЕНТУ: ACA закликає надати в'язницям США повноваження щодо пом'якшення наслідків використання безпілотників
Post Image Credit: Larry Farr через Unsplash
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