UK Prison Drone Incidents Double as Gangs Deploy Heavy-Lift Drones for Drug Smuggling

Drone sightings around UK prisons have skyrocketed, with reports more than doubling from 478 in 2022 to 1,063 in 2023, according to The Telegraph.

Sophisticated Drones Carrying Massive Payloads

These aren’t your average consumer drones. We’re talking about powerful machines capable of lifting up to 15 pounds – about the weight of a bowling ball. Det Supt Andy Buckthorpe of Greater Manchester Police notes that gangs are employing “highly-skilled drone operators” who aren’t just delivering drugs, but also mobile phones and even everyday items like shower gel and condiments.

“These drone pilots have a high skill-set. The technology is improving all the time. It’s getting sophisticated,” says Buckthorpe.

Prison Security Playing Catch-Up

The surge in drone activity comes after UK prisons installed £100 million ($125.8 million) worth of Airport-style X-ray scanners in 2019. Instead of deterring smuggling, it’s pushed gangs to get creative with their delivery methods. At HMP Oakwood, gangs are disguising drug packages in grass before dropping them on playing fields. Meanwhile, at HMP Manchester, inmates are creating drone delivery windows by burning holes in their cell windows.

The Numbers Tell a Troubling Story

Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of jails, paints a stark picture: “Because they’re able to get drones in with bigger payloads, we’re seeing much more cannabis. We smell that much more when we walk around jails now, in a way that we didn’t used to so much in the past.”

The impact is clear – up to 77% of inmates at some facilities are testing positive for drugs.

Potential Solutions on the Horizon

There’s hope in the form of anti-Drone Technology. In Guernsey, a 600-meter virtual shield detects and jams incoming drones, forcing them to retreat. Rick Gill, CEO of Drone Defence, urges the UK government to implement similar “real, scalable defences across the UK prison estate.”

DroneXL’s Take

While this story highlights the misuse of drone technology, it also demonstrates the incredible advances in drone technology. The fact that these devices can carry such significant payloads showcases their potential for legitimate heavy-lift applications in industries like construction and emergency response. The solution isn’t to limit drone technology, but to implement better detection and prevention systems, similar to those being tested in Guernsey.

What are your thoughts on how we can better balance the benefits of advancing drone technology while preventing its misuse? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Photo courtesy of The Telegraph