New Drone Ban Targets Prison Smugglers
The Ministry of Justice has launched a no-nonsense crackdown on drone smuggling in UK prisons. From today, January 25, 2024, a strict 400-metre no-fly zone is in place around all prisons and young offender institutions. The move aims to stop criminal gangs dropping phones, drugs, weapons, and other contraband into jail yards.
Big Fines and Tough Jail Terms
Flying a drone inside the new no-fly zone is now an automatic offence. Offenders face fines up to £2,500. But those caught smuggling banned items via drones could be behind bars for up to 10 years.
Drone Activity Soars, Security Steps Up
Drone incidents near prisons more than doubled between 2019 and 2021. Over 500 drones were spotted or caught flying near English and Welsh prisons in that period. Since 2016, over 70 convictions related to drone smuggling have been secured, handing down a combined 240 years of prison sentences.
Extra Measures to Keep Jails Safe
Prisons and Probation Minister Edward Argar said the government is taking no chances. “These new anti-drone laws, combined with airport-style x-ray scanners and detection dogs, will slam the door on dangerous contraband and violence behind bars,” he said.
The crackdown also includes 123 specially trained dogs and the hiring of 160 extra staff to root out corrupt prison personnel.
Exemptions to the no-fly zone are possible but require approval from His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service via the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Airspace Regulation notification form.
