Prisons: Unmanned Air Systems
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many drones were sighted over prisons in England and Wales between July 2024 and April 2026; and how many drones were recovered by prisons between July 2024 and April 2026.
Answered by Jake Richards
We publish the number of drone incidents in England and Wales in the HMPPS Annual Digest, please see table 6_1 in the Finds tables. The latest issue covers the 12-month period to March 2025, with a time series of drone incidents starting from the 12-months to March 2021. Data on the number of drones sighted could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Reported figures on drone incidents include all incidents where a drone is sighted, including drone landings, crashes, recovery, conveying unauthorised articles into the establishment, entering the restricted fly zone or where the drone is believed to be photographing prisoners, staff, or parts of the building fabric. Any increase in reported drone incidents does not necessarily indicate an increase in incursions; it may reflect more focused reporting.
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