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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Josh Halliday North of England editor

More than 1,000 drone incidents at jails in England and Wales last year

Drone England Wales Mike Smith Prison Police the Ministry of Justice
A 'no drone zone' sign at HMP Manchester.
The number of drones sighted or reported around prisons in England and Wales more than doubled between 2022 and 2023. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

The number of drones seen carrying drugs into prisons soared to more than 1,000 last year as police waged a “constant battle” against gangs flying in cocaine and cannabis from miles away.

Official figures reveal the number of drone incidents at prisons in England and Wales has risen almost tenfold since 2020, climbing to 1,063 incursions last year.

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