SHOCKING footage shows the moment a drone is seen buzzing around the grounds of a prison – before dropping off drugs to a con who reaches his hand out of his cell window.
Dramatic video and images show how a brazen gang – caught and jailed after a probe by police and prison bosses – used the remote-controlled vehicle to deliver contraband.
Michael HamiltonThe droner hovers near the bars to deliver the contraband[/caption]
Michael HamiltonThe drone had made 20 flights and tried to deliver £1.7million worth of drugs and phones[/caption]
Michael HamiltonThere has been a crackdown over drones after a series of offences[/caption]
But new laws being brought in today create 400-metre no-fly zones around prisons in a bid to halt the flow of drugs, weapons, mobiles and sim cards.
Under the crackdown, drone operators will be hit by £2,500 fines while those caught smuggling items will be slapped with jail terms up to 10 years.
Justice chiefs have toughened up laws after more than 500 drones were sighted, intercepted or seized around prisons in England and Wales between 2019 and 2021.
The pictured drone was used by a Line of Duty-style Organised Crime Gang (OCG) which made 20 flights and tried to deliver £1.7 million of drugs and phones to HMP Risley, Cheshire.
A probe began after prison staff spotted it as it operated between August and December 2020.
They alerted police, who investigated and found an OCG was operating inside and outside the Category C men’s jail in Warrington.
Seven members of the gang were eventually jailed for more than 30 years.
Talking about the new laws, Prisons and Probation Minister Edward Argar said: “We are working harder than ever to prevent the smuggling of contraband into our prisons and this is the latest step to keep ahead of the tactics exploited by organised criminals.
“These new anti-drone measures – along with our advanced airport-style x-ray security and drug detection dogs – will crackdown on those illicit items that fuel violence behind bars.”
The new law automatically makes it an offence to fly drones within 400 metres of prisons and young offender institutions.
Previously, cops could only act where there was evidence of contraband being smuggled.
Since June 2016, police have secured more than 70 drone-related convictions with a total of 240 years behind bars.
The new no-fly zones are also aimed at halting illegal filming of prisons.
The law follows a £100 million investment in high-tech body scanners that have thwarted 500 attempts to smuggle drugs, phones and weapons into jails.
Airport-style security at 75 prisons allows clothes to be drug-tested for the first time and picks up packages cons and visitors hide on themselves.
Around 160 anti-corruption staff have also been hired, as well as 600 specially-trained search dogs.
What are the new laws surrounding drones and prisons?
New “no-fly zones” have been introduced around prisons in England and Wales.
The change was made to prevent drones being used to deliver drugs and contraband to inmates.
The Ministry of Justice, in conjunction with The Rt Hon Edward Argar MP, has introduced stringent new restrictions that came into effect on January 25, 2024.
The new legislation establishes a 400-metre “no-fly zone” around prisons and young offender institutions with offenders facing fines of up to £2,500.
It is now an automatic offence to operate drones within this restricted area.
Unlike the previous requirement for evidence of contraband smuggling, cops can now take action merely based on drone operations near these facilities.
This crackdown is prompted by a significant rise in drone sightings within prison grounds.
The number of drones captured or spotted within prison premises more than doubled between 2019 and 2021.
Michael HamiltonThe drone hovers above before making its way to the inmate’s window[/caption]
Michael HamiltonA new law makes it an offence to fly drones within 400 metres of prisons[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
