PR 310: DRONE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS DO NOT GO FAR ENOUGH

The Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, has announced that he is investing an extra £35m to fund tougher physical barriers to prevent the conveyance of illicit items by drones in 17 of our most at-risk Prisons.

HMPPS say that this further funding will allow them to upgrade up to 13,000 cell windows across all 13 Long-Term High Security Estate (LTHSE) Prisons and four closed male sites by Spring 2027. The Prisons being prioritised for the deployment of these measures have been identified because of the scale of the challenge and the risk of the population they hold.

The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) welcomes any investment aimed at improving safety and security across the Prison Estate, but today’s Government announcement of additional physical barriers to deter drones in a limited number of establishments falls far short of what frontline staff have been demanding for years.

POA National Chair Mark Fairhurst said:

“Our members have been warning about the dangers posed by drones for a very long time. Physical security such as netting and window cages may help in isolated areas, but they do not address the scale or sophistication of the threat. This is a national problem that requires a national solution.”

Drone incursions continue to fuel violence, debt, intimidation, and organised criminal activity inside Prisons. The POA has repeatedly called for modern counter‑drone technology — including signal‑blocking systems, real‑time detection tools, and dedicated specialist teams — to be deployed across the entire estate, not just selected sites.

  

POA Deputy General Secretary Mick Pimblett added:

“This announcement is yet another example of the Government reacting to a crisis rather than preventing one. Our members are dealing daily with the consequences of drones delivering drugs, weapons, and mobile phones into Prisons. Physical barriers alone will not stop organised crime groups who are already using sophisticated technology to outmanoeuvre outdated security measures. We need proper investment in staffing, intelligence, and modern counter‑drone systems — not half‑measures dressed up as solutions.”

The POA emphasises that physical security measures must be matched with investment in staff numbers, training, and intelligence capability. Without this, frontline officers remain exposed to the consequences of contraband entering Prisons unchecked.

The Association urges the Government to engage meaningfully with the POA and adopt a comprehensive, modern counter‑drone strategy that protects staff, reduces violence, and restores order across the Prison Estate.

 

ENDS

 

 

For further information, contact:

POA Press Office                                                  020 8803 0255 Option 7