Seven drones have been seized and 18 people arrested as part of targeted efforts to detect and disrupt drones in the airspace over HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire
Seven drones have been seized and 18 people arrested as part of targeted efforts to detect and disrupt drones in the airspace over HMP Long Lartin and surrounding Worcestershire villages.
HMP Long Lartin - located in the rural village of South Littleton, near to Evesham - is a category A men’s prison which in recent years has seen an increase in drone drops, West Mercia Police said.
A drone drop is where contraband, such as drugs and mobile phones, is dropped into the prison from a drone hovering above. The contraband dropped into the prison creates a security risk and contributes to issues within the facility, police added.
Police and the prison are working closely to tackle the activity with robust plans in place to respond to sightings of drones and suspicious activity near to the prison, which is orchestrated by Organised Crime Groups (OCGs).
There is regular communication between police and the prison with intelligence, information and prevention tactics being shared amongst partners. Officers are continuing to work with HMP Long Lartin to intercept the drones and build a greater intelligence picture to dismantle the OCG’s behind the drops.
There are currently nine on-going investigations in which 18 people have been arrested and since bailed or released under investigation, and seven drones have been seized.
More recently, on Monday, March 17, a drone flight was disrupted after it was spotted circulating over the prison. Officers swiftly responded and a large police presence was in the area within minutes. There was no package dropped following police arrival.
Police are also calling for more information to be reported from the public.
Detective Chief Inspector James Bamber, of south Worcestershire, said: “We recognise that these drone incursions are also impacting our communities local to HMP Long Lartin.
“I want to reassure those residents that we are working tirelessly alongside our partners to identify, target and prosecute the criminals behind these illicit operations.
“As always, our local communities are our eyes and ears on the ground, and the intelligence we gather from them is invaluable.
“Information which has previously been reported to us in relation to drone sightings has directly led to drones or suspicious vehicles being intercepted and, subsequently, the arrests of suspected offenders.
“Our ask to our communities is to continue to report information to us.
“We want to know about any suspicious acting vehicles; offenders may repeatedly drive around the areas surrounding the prison to find a location where they can fly a drone from.
“If you witness any suspicious activity or see a drone in the airspace near to the prison, call us immediately.
“We will not stop in our pursuit of these criminals, to tear down the OCG’s behind the operations, and to put a stop to the activity fuelling organised crime and impacting our communities.”
Source:
