18 arrests made as police target drones over HMP Long Lartin
Seven unmanned aircraft have also been seized by officers
Police targeting the use of drones over HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire have made 18 arrests and seized seven unmanned aircraft.
West Mercia officers say there's been a big increase in recent years of 'drone drops' - where contraband items are sent into prisons for inmates to use.
Drugs and mobile phones are common items, with the area around South Littleton, near Evesham, becoming a popular area for such flights.
We're told nine investigations into the drops are ongoing.
Police and the prison are working closely to respond to sightings of drones and suspicious activity near to the site.
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 that we are working tirelessly alongside our partners 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.
“Information which has previously been reported to us in relation to drone sightings has directly led to drones or suspicious vehicles being intercepted and, subsequently, the arrests of suspected offenders.
“Our ask to our communities is to continue to report information to us.
“We want to know about any suspicious acting vehicles; offenders may repeatedly drive around the areas surrounding the prison to find a location where they can fly a drone from.
“If you witness any suspicious activity or see a drone in the airspace near to the prison, call us immediately.
“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.”
We're asked to call 101 with any information, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.