Aug 1, 2025 02:56 AM
https://news.sky.com/story/number-of-dro...w-13404812
INTRO: New data reveals there were 1,712 drone incidents between April 2024 and March 2025 at prisons across England and Wales - an increase of 43% compared to the previous 12 months.
The number of drone incidents in prisons rose by 43% in a year, according to new government data. In the 12 months to March, there were 1,712 drone incidents at prisons across England and Wales, compared to 1,196 the year before. The latest figures represent "a new peak".
The ingress of drones into prisons, carrying drugs and weapons, has become an increasing problem for the prison service. In the same dataset, there were over 26,000 incidents of drug finds inside jails, an increase of 25% on the previous year, and more than 13,000 weapons.
Earlier this month, the chief inspector of prisons warned that drone technology is becoming so sophisticated that it's a "theoretical possibility" that a prisoner could be lifted out of jail by a drone in the near future.
In its annual report in July, the prisons watchdog said drones were sending "overwhelming amounts" of illicit items into jails, representing a "threat to national security".
The report reiterated concerns about "regular deliveries" into Category A jails in Worcestershire and Manchester, which "hold the most dangerous men in the country", including terrorists... (MORE - details)
INTRO: New data reveals there were 1,712 drone incidents between April 2024 and March 2025 at prisons across England and Wales - an increase of 43% compared to the previous 12 months.
The number of drone incidents in prisons rose by 43% in a year, according to new government data. In the 12 months to March, there were 1,712 drone incidents at prisons across England and Wales, compared to 1,196 the year before. The latest figures represent "a new peak".
The ingress of drones into prisons, carrying drugs and weapons, has become an increasing problem for the prison service. In the same dataset, there were over 26,000 incidents of drug finds inside jails, an increase of 25% on the previous year, and more than 13,000 weapons.
Earlier this month, the chief inspector of prisons warned that drone technology is becoming so sophisticated that it's a "theoretical possibility" that a prisoner could be lifted out of jail by a drone in the near future.
In its annual report in July, the prisons watchdog said drones were sending "overwhelming amounts" of illicit items into jails, representing a "threat to national security".
The report reiterated concerns about "regular deliveries" into Category A jails in Worcestershire and Manchester, which "hold the most dangerous men in the country", including terrorists... (MORE - details)