A ban on drones flying around prisons came into force on Thursday January 25 in the United Kingdom, which, like other countries, is experiencing an increase in attempts to deliver phones, drugs or other prohibited products to prisoners.
The number of drones seen or intercepted within prison grounds has
“more than doubled”
between 2019 and 2021, the government justified by announcing the establishment of this ban on overflight in a zone of 400 meters around penitentiary establishments and prisons. juvenile detention centers.
“We are working harder than ever to prevent contraband from being smuggled into our prisons
,” said Prisons Secretary Edward Argar, adding that the government intended to
“stay one step ahead of the techniques used by organized crime
.
Criminal group
The ministry mentions the case of a criminal group which managed to organize 20 drone flights between August and December 2020. One of these thefts concerned the delivery of drugs, mobile phones and SIM cards worth 1.7 million of pounds (1.9 million euros), in Risley prison (northern England).
Between 2019 and 2021, more than 500 drones were seen or intercepted around prisons in England and Wales, according to the government.
Failure to comply with this overflight ban will be punishable by a fine of up to 2,500 pounds (2,900 euros), while smuggling illegal products could result in penalties of up to 10 years in prison.
This measure is part of a set of measures aimed at securing prison establishments, in particular the deployment of detection equipment, such as body scanners and the use of more than 600 dogs specialized in the search for drugs and other illicit products. .