- new airspace restrictions to create 400 metre ‘no-fly zones’
around prisons
- offenders who break the rules face up to ten years behind
bars
- tough new security measures to cut key supply route of
illegal drugs and phones
New legislation made this week will make it an automatic offence
to fly drones within 400 metres of any closed prison or young
offender institution in England and Wales. Drone operators that
break the rules could face fines of up to £2,500 while those
found smuggling illicit items will face up to 10 years in
prison.
Drone sightings at prisons have increased sharply in recent years
and current air space restrictions mean police can only act on
drone sightings where there is evidence of contraband being
illegally smuggled.
By creating a virtual ‘no-fly zone’ around prison airspace, the
new restrictions mean police and prison staff will be able to act
quickly to identify suspicious drones and take swift action
against suspected criminal activity, as well as enhancing
security by preventing illegal filming.
Prisons Minister said:
This is the latest step in the war we are winning to stop drugs,
weapons and phones getting into our prisons.
These virtual ‘no-fly’ zones - along with our new airport-style
X-ray scanners - mean we can clamp down better than ever on
violence behind bars to keep both prisoners and staff safe from
harm.
Between 2019 and 2021, 504 drones were either sighted,
intercepted or seized around prisons in England and Wales, and
police and prison staff have worked together to help secure more
than 70 convictions since June 2016. Those sentenced are serving
more than 240 years in prison.
A single attempted drone delivery in May 2022 contained a payload
of over £35,000 worth of illicit substances and contraband. This
included 399 buprenorphine tablets, around 30 grammes of cannabis
and 11 mobile phones.
Today’s announcement (23 October 2023) follows a £100 million
investment to bolster prison security across the estate –
including 75 additional x-ray body scanners and airport-style
Enhanced Gate Security at 42 high-risk prison sites, implementing
routine searching of staff and visitors.
The new restrictions were made into law on Monday 16 October
2023, with the support of Department of Transport and Civil
Aviation Authority. It will take effect from 25 January
2024.
The new measures will build on current legislation including the
Air Traffic and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021 (ATUMA), which gives
police the power to intercept or seize drones suspected of being
used to break the law, as well as any use of drones which break
the Prison Act 1952 – such as through smuggling drugs and
weapons.
