From Smuggling to Surveillance: A Situational Analysis of Drone Use in UK Prisons

Key Takeaways

• UK prisons are facing a growing drone threat, as criminal networks increasingly use unmanned aerial vehicles to smuggle drugs, weapons, and contraband into secure facilities.

• Drone-facilitated smuggling fuels organised crime, disrupts daily prison life, and hinders rehabilitation by maintaining a pervasive drug culture.

• Counter-drone technology is evolving, with systems such as Sky Fence and advanced detection methods, but current measures remain inconsistent across prisons.

• Proactive investment and innovation are critical, as government programmes aim to neutralise drone threats while exploring their potential positive uses for prison security.

  
  

Smuggling From The Sky: The Evolution

Technology has changed the landscape of the delivery of illegal substances into prisons. The issue has become increasingly prevalent, with the associated threat continuing to escalate. Based on data reported by the BBC, there were 1,063 recorded drone sightings near UK prisons last year, more than twice the 478 incidents that were logged in 2022. The number has risen from just 122 cases in 2019. Prisoners are now able to obtain weaponry and contraband which can be used to threaten or coerce other inmates into criminal behaviour, thereby breeding a culture in which organised crime can thrive. Drones are relatively low risk methods of delivery, with a single flight capable of transporting substantial quantities of illicit materials into a prison facility. Drones are also able to create disruption and distraction, to increase the chances of a successful delivery. While a singular drone is flying by prison officers’ overhead, a second drone may simultaneously deliver items elsewhere within the premises.  

The scale and sophistication of drone usage in prisons has evolved considerably in recent years. In the 12-month period ending March 2025, there were 1,712 reported drone incidents in UK prisons, representing a 43% rise on the prior year and setting a record level. The figure equates to more than five drones a day being spotted. Additional data indicates that criminal groups have integrated drones into their operations, particularly for smuggling activities. These devices pose a significant threat to the safety and security of custodial environments, with some devices delivering weapons, phones, drugs and explosives. There is also evidence to suggest that certain drones possess the capability to lift moderate weight.

The head of the UK’s aviation regulator has recently warned of the growing risk of drone-related incidents at airports. In 2018, operations at Gatwick Airport were severely disrupted after multiple drones were sighted in the surrounding area. Following the incident, regulations were introduced prohibiting drone flights within one kilometre of airport boundaries. Internationally, reports of drone activity near airports have also increased, with several facilities affected, including four airports in Denmark that were temporarily closed in October 2025. The wider concern of drone-related disruptions at airports underscores the concern regarding the misuse of technology - which threatens the UK’s prison network.

The Dark Side: Smuggling and Crime

Drug smuggling is significantly undermining the rehabilitation process for offenders within UK prisons. The ability to maintain a safe and secure environment is increasingly compromised by the introduction of small, drone-delivered packages of contraband. A survey conducted by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons highlighted a deeply embedded drug culture, with many prisoners reporting that the widespread availability of illicit substances made it virtually impossible to disengage from criminal networks.

In facilities designed to be secure and focused on rehabilitation, factors such as drone-facilitated smuggling is preventing the objectives from materialising. The ready access to drugs disrupts daily life for inmates, reducing opportunities to engage with rehabilitation programmes. Instead, many prisoners turn to substances to occupy their time, limiting the potential benefits of custody and impeding efforts to promote behavioural change and reduce reoffending overall.

Drone activity fuels organised crime in prisons, which poses a serious threat to both staff and inmates. The introduction of packages weighing up to 10kg by serious organised crime groups has created a situation in some facilities where a wide variety of drugs is readily available, ranging from steroids and cannabis to substances such as spice and cocaine. MPs have noted that exposure to this extensive “menu of drugs” reinforces the entrenched prison culture, making it extremely difficult for inmates to resist drug use. The internal prison market further exacerbates the issue, with substances reportedly selling for up to 100 times their street value, largely under the control of organised crime networks.

Prisoners often order substances via encrypted phones, which are then smuggled into prisons by visitors or delivered by drones. Human detection of drones is limited, as they are frequently flown under cover of darkness when security personnel are less likely to observe them. In some cases, contraband is wrapped in dark tape to make it less visible at night. Organised crime groups continue to operate these markets within prisons due to their high profitability, often recruiting inmates to assist in bringing drones through windows by any means necessary.

The Double-Edged Role of Drones in Prisons: Positive Use

While much controversy exists surrounding the debate of drones in prisons, one aspect underexplored is the positive use of drones. Given the staffing shortages present in many UK prisons, drones could help bridge surveillance gaps. Aerial sweeps can monitor prisoner activity and provide continuous oversight of access points surrounding the prison. Utilizing drones in this manner would represent a significant operational advantage, reducing the reliance on manpower and mitigating the impact of staff shortages.

A second application is the ability to detect hostile drones attempting to deliver contraband. When an unauthorised drone enters the vicinity, security-operated drones could trigger alarms and other response protocols to neutralize the threat.

A third aspect is that drones can monitor exercise areas and occupancy levels, with a focus on overseeing large groups and detecting criminal activity. From an aerial perspective, drones can offer comprehensive oversight of these areas, enabling faster detection of violent incidents. AI-driven systems can analyse such activity in real time and alert nearby officers, facilitating a more rapid and effective response.

Notable Drone Incidents

• In October 2025, a major operation focused on supplying drugs into prisons via drones was disrupted. A 36-year-old man was arrested and sentenced after being found involved in smuggling up to £300,000 of drugs into prisons across the northwest of England using drones.

• In January 2025, a woman and man were arrested after a drone was spotted flying over HMP Lowdham Grange in Nottinghamshire. The couple were found to have flown Class A drugs and a prohibited article into the prison.

Counter-measures and Innovative Technology

The rise in drone smuggling incidents within prisons has intensified the need for more sophisticated security measures. Traditional counter-drone approaches, including signal jamming and nets, are proving insufficient against modern drones, which can operate on multiple frequencies and employ advanced obstacle-avoidance systems, making them increasingly difficult to detect and intercept.

In January 2024, 400-metre Drone Restricted Fly Zones were introduced around all closed prisons and young offender institutions in England and Wales, making it an offence to pilot a drone in the restricted areas without authorisation. Consequently, violators risk fines or imprisonment. By establishing specific virtual no-fly zones around prison airspace, police and prison staff can identify suspicious drones enabling rapid action against suspected criminal activity. 

Global Perspectives

The proliferation of drone-facilitated drug smuggling has become a global concern, with the UK representing only one among many nations contending with the complexities of regulating and policing unmanned aerial activity. As organised criminal networks increasingly integrate advanced technologies into their operations, authorities face mounting challenges in formulating effective strategies to counter this evolving threat.

• In January 2025, a Chinese made drone was found inside high-security prison in India. Security officers located the drone adjacent to cells occupied by terrorism-related detainees, after which it was transferred for forensic analysis.

• In January 2025, a package containing contraband was found at Collins Bay Institution in Canada. The package was released by drone, with the total value of items seized over US$77,000.

  
  

The UK Government Appeal

Advancements in drone technology have enhanced their load-bearing capacity, enabling them to transport moderate weights, prompting fears they could be used to carry escaping inmates over prison walls. Technology to detect drones is already available, they can detect within a 50-metre radius of a prison's outer walls and activate a forcefield to block signals between the drone and the operator. For example, the SkyFence system, introduced at Les Nicolles Prison in Guernsey in 2017, demonstrated the potential of such defences. However, numerous inspections continue to reveal prisons lacking even basic physical protections, such as window guards, despite ongoing drone-related incidents. As of November 2025, the Ministry of Justice is appealing for individuals with the ability to devise a new technology to interfere with drones. Successful applicants will receive £60,000 funding to develop proof-of-concept systems over a 12-week period.

Plan For Change

The Government has allocated £10 million towards anti-drone initiatives within the prison estate, including the installation of exterior netting and reinforced windows. In July 2025, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) announced an additional £900,000 investment aimed at countering the use of drones to deliver drugs and weapons into prisons. This funding compliments the £40 million already committed to enhancing overall security infrastructure in prisons.

Recent enforcement efforts reflect the impact of this investment. Coordinated counter-drone operations at HM Prisons Manchester and Wandsworth have resulted in the prompt arrest of nine individuals, with further initiatives planned in the coming months. One of the advanced drones recovered during the Wandsworth operation was valued at approximately £6,000 and featured a flight duration of up to 40 minutes, as well as the capacity to carry four separate payloads. In a related development, West Mercia Police arrested four individuals earlier this month for operating drones over the high-security facility at HMP Long Lartin.

The Future of UK Prisons: Responding to the Drone Threat

These recent developments illustrate the growing technological challenges faced by institutions and highlight the need for investment in both detection and mitigation strategies to safeguard prison security.

The rise of drone-assisted smuggling represents a significant and evolving challenge for the UK prison system and institutions worldwide. As criminal networks increasingly adopt advanced technologies, prisons face unprecedented threats to security, inmate safety, and rehabilitation efforts. While existing countermeasures such as anti-drone netting, detection systems, and restricted fly zones have demonstrated some effectiveness, the rapid sophistication and adaptability of drones necessitate continual innovation and investment. Moreover, the dual role of drones, both as tools for criminal activity and potential instruments for prison management, underscores the importance of strategic, technology-driven solutions.

The UK Government’s ongoing initiatives, including targeted funding for proof-of-concept systems and coordinated counter-drone operations, which illustrate a proactive approach. However, inspections revealing gaps in basic security measures indicate that a comprehensive, systematic response is still required. Ultimately, the integration of advanced surveillance, AI-driven monitoring, and adaptive countermeasures will be critical in safeguarding prisons from the technological difficulties posed by drone-facilitated crime. The safety of both staff and inmates depends on the ability of authorities to anticipate, detect, and neutralise the emerging threats.