SEVEN drones have been seized and 18 people arrested in a sting on organised drone drops of contraband into HMP Long Lartin.
The category A men’s prison, located in South Littleton near Evesham, has seen an increase in drone drops in recent years which has prompted calls for urgent action from the prison watchdog.
A drop can contain drugs, weapons and mobile phones delivered from a drone hovering above. Police and the prison are working closely to tackle the activity which is orchestrated by Organised Crime Groups (OCGs).
The prison has been under a watchful eye since the Ministry of Justice’s chief inspector of prisons, Charlie Taylor, said an inspection of the prison in September and October 2024 revealed serious concerns with safety and security, amounting to a national security threat.
Inspections found the prison, which holds the most serious offenders including terrorists and organised crime bosses, had a thriving illicit trade in drugs, mobile phones and weapons.
According to a survey, 50 per cent of inmates who responded said it was easy to get drugs and alcohol.
Violence and self-harm was said to have increased, in part driven by drugs and the accompanying debt prisoners found themselves in.
Inmates were also found to be living in squalid conditions with widespread dirt, damp and litter.
An inspection of HMP Manchester revealed a similar situation which was so bad Mr Taylor issued an Urgent Notification for improvement to the Secretary of State.
There is now regular communication between police and HMP Long Lartin with intelligence, information and prevention tactics being shared amongst partners.
Officers are continuing to work with the prison to intercept drones and build greater intelligence to dismantle the OCG’s behind the drops.
There are currently nine on-going investigations in which 18 people have been arrested and since bailed or released under investigation, alongside the drone seizures.
More recently, on Monday, March 17, a drone flight was disrupted after it was spotted circulating over the prison.
Officers swiftly responded and a large police presence was in the area within minutes. There was no package dropped following police arrival.
Police are also calling for more information to be reported from the public.
Detective Chief Inspector James Bamber, of south Worcestershire, said: “We recognise that these drone incursions are also impacting our communities local to HMP Long Lartin.
“I want to reassure those residents we are working tirelessly to identify, target and prosecute the criminals behind these illicit operations.
“As always, our local communities are our eyes and ears on the ground, and the intelligence we gather from them is invaluable.
“We will not stop in our pursuit of these criminals, to tear down the OCG’s behind the operations, and to put a stop to the activity fuelling organised crime and impacting our communities.”
Call 999 immediately if you see a drone flight in progress in the prison’s airspace.
If not an immediate concern, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously to report information via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or 0800 555 111.
