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H.M. Prison Bronzefield from the air by Thomas Nugent, CC BY-SA 2.0
UK Implements No-Fly Zones Around Prisons to Combat Smuggling via Drones
In a big move to counter the rising threat of contraband smuggling into prisons, the UK government has introduced latest regulations establishing 400-meter drone ‘no-fly zones’ around prison facilities. The announcement, detailed in a UK government press release dated January 25, 2024, goals to handle the escalating use of drones by criminal gangs attempting to move illicit items, including phones, drugs, and weapons, into prisons.
Under the brand new laws, it’s now considered an automatic offense to fly drones inside 400 meters of prisons and young offender institutions. The previous requirement for police intervention was contingent on evidence of contraband smuggling. Drone operators violating these restrictions could face fines of as much as £2,500, while those involved in smuggling illegal items that contribute to violence and criminality inside prisons may face a maximum prison sentence of ten years.
The initiative is a response to the alarming increase within the variety of drones detected or sighted inside prison grounds, which greater than doubled between 2019 and 2021, in accordance with revealed figures. The introduction of virtual ‘no-fly zones’ is predicted to reinforce law enforcement’s ability to catch organized criminals within the act, facilitating simpler prosecutions, convictions, and the imposition of lengthy jail terms. Moreover, these anti-drone measures are designed to stop illegal aerial filming of prisons, further bolstering security.
Prisons and Probation Minister Edward Argar emphasized the federal government’s commitment to staying ahead of the tactics employed by organized criminals. Argar stated, “We’re working harder than ever to stop the smuggling of contraband into our prisons, and that is the most recent step to maintain ahead of the tactics exploited by organized criminals.”
The press release highlighted the substantial efforts already made by law enforcement, with over 70 drone-related convictions and a cumulative sentence of 240 years behind bars for offenders since June 2016. An illustrative example cited the attempted illegal drone operation at HMP Risley in Cheshire, where an organized gang attempted to smuggle Class A medication, mobile phones, and SIM cards price over £1.7 million into the prison. Following a joint operation, the seven individuals involved were sentenced to greater than 30 years in prison.
The brand new laws aligns with the UK government’s £100 million investment in enhanced prison security measures. These measures include the deployment of next-generation trace detection equipment in 95 prisons, X-ray body scanners in 75 additional prisons, and the recruitment of 160 additional counter-corruption personnel to handle internal vulnerabilities.
To operate inside the newly designated Restricted Areas, interested parties are required to submit the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Airspace Regulation notification form. Exemptions, if approved, will likely be issued by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
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