The use of drones to smuggle contraband into UK prisons has become a serious national security concern, according to the chief inspector of prisons. Inspections revealed that organized crime groups are exploiting vulnerabilities in security measures to deliver drugs, weapons, and mobile phones to inmates at high-security facilities, posing a risk to staff, prisoners, and public safety.
The use of drones to transport drugs and weapons into UK prisons is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention due to its significant threat to national security, according to the chief inspector of prisons, Charlie Taylor. He stated that organized crime groups have effectively taken control of the airspace surrounding HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin, utilizing drones to deliver contraband to inmates.
These two high-security prisons house some of the most dangerous individuals in the country, including terrorists and organized crime leaders.Taylor's warning follows inspections of both HMP Manchester, located in the city center, and HMP Long Lartin, in Evesham, Worcestershire. The inspections revealed that both prisons have thriving illicit economies involving drugs, mobile phones, and weapons. Inspectors also observed that basic security measures, such as protective netting and CCTV systems, have fallen into disrepair. At HMP Manchester, a category B prison with a limited number of category A prisoners, inmates have been deliberately burning holes in windows to receive regular drone deliveries, according to the HM Inspectorate of Prisons. Many of the drones carry increasingly large payloads, which pose a potential risk of serious disruption and even escapes.Taylor expressed alarm that law enforcement and prison authorities have effectively ceded control of the airspace above these high-security facilities to organized crime gangs who can supply contraband to prisons holding extremely dangerous inmates, including some classified as high-risk category A. He emphasized that the failure to address this issue, which has escalated into a national security threat, jeopardizes the safety of staff, prisoners, and the general public. Taylor called for an urgent response from the prison service, police, and other security agencies to confront organized criminal activity and curb the supply of drugs and other illicit items that undermine all aspects of prison life. This latest warning follows reports from months ago concerning an inmate at HMP Garth in Lancashire who described the prison as an 'airport' due to the abundance of drones delivering drugs. Inspectors found that prisoners had been using components from their kettles to burn holes in their inadequately protected Perspex windows, allowing drones loaded with contraband to enter. The inspections at HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin, conducted in September and October 2024, also uncovered other serious concerns regarding safety and security at both facilities. The situation at HMP Manchester was deemed so dire that Taylor issued an urgent notification for improvement to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Security DRONES PRISON SECURITY CONTRABAND ORGANIZED CRIME NATIONAL SECURITY UK
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