Smugglers Use Drone To Fly Drugs Into Prison
Bedfordshire Police have confirmed that smugglers attempted to use a drone to send drugs, screwdrivers, a knife and a mobile phone to inmates at a high-security prison.
The package containing the contraband was only spotted by staff after the remote-controlled aircraft became entangled in barbed wire surrounding Bedford Prison.
A spokesman for the force said: "Both the device and the contents of the package are currently being examined and investigations are ongoing."
This is believed to be the first attempt to use a drone for smuggling a package into a UK prison.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons has already warned that preventing the trafficking of unauthorised substances is one of the biggest challenges that jail guards face.
The unmanned aerial vehicles are causing a headache for aviation and security officials, and the Government is yet to introduce tighter regulations surrounding drones.
A 42-year-old man is due to appear in court next month on suspicion of flying a drone over key London landmarks without seeking permission from the Civil Aviation Authority.
In December, the British Airline Pilots Association warned that drones could cause a major collision with a passenger plane unless tougher rules are enforced.
