In a brazen attempt thwarted by Cleveland Police, a man was arrested for reportedly attempting to smuggle contraband into Holme House Prison using a drone.
The incident unfolded around 14:10 hours on Monday, 10th July, after the prison staff alerted the police.
Both response and dog section officers were promptly on the scene.
Teamed with PD Moose, they efficiently contained the area, swiftly locating the suspect hiding in the undergrowth.
Seeing the formidable police dog, the suspect attempted to escape on foot but quickly surrendered.
In addition to the attempted illicit drone delivery, a suspected stolen motorbike was also recovered at the scene.
The 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of throwing an article/substance into a prison, stealing a motor vehicle, and driving a motor vehicle without insurance or a licence.
This incident is not an isolated one.
A Freedom of Information request made by the Press Association revealed a concerning 35 incidents in England and Wales over the last 12 months (January to December 2022) where individuals were apprehended for attempting to use drones to fly contraband into prisons.
This illicit cargo ranged from drugs and mobile phones to other prohibited items.
These attempts have been scattered nationwide, with incidents reported in prisons such as HMP Birmingham, HMP Oakwood, and HMP Manchester.
Notably, the West Midlands saw the highest number of such incidents, followed by the North West and the South East.
The Ministry of Justice is determined to halt this modern method of smuggling contraband into prisons.
They have committed to installing anti-drone technology and are collaborating with police forces to identify and prosecute those implicated in these attempts.
It’s clear that as technology evolves, so do the methods of those wishing to break the law.
But as demonstrated by the Cleveland Police and PD Moose, law enforcement remains vigilant and ready to tackle these new challenges head-on.
Most social media algorithms are not ‘pro’ emergency services, so the ONLY way to ensure you never miss our stories or videos is by signing up for our FREE newsletter! All we need is an email address, it takes less than 30 seconds, and anyone can subscribe!
Before you go...
In a world where mainstream media narratives often eclipse the harsh realities faced by our valiant men and women in the emergency services, we at Emergency Services News have made it our mission to bring these overlooked stories into the spotlight.
Our team is exclusively composed of dedicated volunteers, all veterans of the emergency services. They commit their time and expertise to this cause, not for financial gain, but out of a shared passion to honour their colleagues and dispel the misconceptions that mainstream media perpetuates.
Despite running at a loss, we persist. We believe in the importance of our mission - to elevate the dignity and courage of those who risk their lives for us every single day. But we need your help.
Your donation directly sustains ESN, enabling the continuous delivery of authentic, critical stories often overlooked by mainstream media. We deeply appreciate your support, which enables us to further our mission of delivering important, underreported stories. Thank you for standing with us and thank you for supporting our team of former emergency services & HM Forces personnel.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
