Prisons take flight to tackle drone smuggling

Prisons across the North East and Yorkshire are stepping up their fight against drone-delivered contraband with cutting-edge technology and training from a North East drone company.

With incidents of drone smuggling soaring, North Shields-based drone specialist heliguy is helping prisons take back control of the sky, using state-of-the-art drones such as the DJI M30T and Mavic 3 Thermal for surveillance, patrols and rapid response.

heliguy has been training prison staff, including those at HMP Holme House, to utilise drone technology as part of their security setup.

This comes amid concerns that traditional security measures, such as netting and CCTV, are no longer enough to counter sophisticated smuggling tactics.

Jack Sharp, heliguy’s head of training, said: “The threat drones pose to prisons is unprecedented, and at heliguy, we are noticing a definite upsurge in interest from the prison sector for help in keeping their establishments safe.

“Drones are being used by criminals outside the prison walls to smuggle goods into prisons, but what often never gets enough focus is how they have become a crucial first line of defence for prisons.

“Drones are a problem for prisons, but they are also increasingly becoming a bigger solution.

“They’ve revolutionised perimeter security, especially at larger prisons. 

“A drone can’t really stop another UAV from delivering drugs, but what it is brilliant at is detecting a package before a prisoner does – and keeping the contraband outside the prison wall.

“As a surveillance tool, it is exceptional and can offer round-the-clock coverage and rapid response to help with real-time decision making – and providing invaluable evidence in the aftermath.

“The feedback we receive is superb, and prisons are becoming aware of just how vital it is to have skilled drone operators in their security team.”

Recent changes in UK law have introduced tougher penalties for drone use near prisons, but with criminals adapting fast, prison staff are now looking to advanced drone solutions – including remote piloting capabilities – to stay one step ahead.

heliguy recently secured approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in an atypical air environment.

This UK-first decision marks the regulator’s most flexible approval yet for autonomous drone operations, allowing flights to be conducted remotely and potentially unlocking significant advantages for prison security by enhancing surveillance capabilities and optimising resources.

Jack added: “The CAA themselves likened it to having a flying guard dog, and they are not wrong.

“Combined with the right hardware, such as the DJI Dock 2 – also known as the drone-in-a-box – it could transform prison security as the drone handling would effectively be outsourced away from the site which would free up already overstretched staff to look after the site themselves.

“The drone can be airborne on-command in mere seconds, leading to quicker response times. 

“This can be a genuine difference maker between a package being intercepted, or the contents getting inside a jail.”

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