Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the answer of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the urgent question of 14 January 2025 on Drones: High-security Prisons, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of using military technology to block drones flying over prisons; and whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on this issue.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

We are working hard to deter, detect and disrupt the illegal use of drones to deliver contraband into prisons. We conduct vulnerability assessments across the estate to identify risks, and to develop and implement plans to manage and mitigate them. HM Prison & Probation Service uses targeted countermeasures such as improvements to windows, netting and grills to stop drones delivering contraband such as drugs, mobile phones and weapons.

We work across government, including with the Ministry of Defence, to examine options to mitigate the threat of drones to prisons. We are also engaging with international counterparts to develop our learning, support our strategy and share best practice. Due to operational sensitivities, we are not able to discuss in detail the tactics used by HMPPS to disrupt drones, including technologies used, however our response must be specific to a prison setting and tailored to individual prisons.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the answer of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the urgent question of 14 January 2025 on Drones: High-security Prisons, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the work of the organised crime groups on crime and disorder in the locality of (a) HMP Long Lartin and (b) other affected prisons.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

It is the responsibility of police, prisons, and the probation service to work collaboratively in order to assess and respond to the threat from Serious and Organised Crime in prison.

Serious and organised crime is a major threat to the national security and prosperity of the UK and organised crime groups continue to diversify their tactics, exploiting technology and online platforms.

The Government is committed to tackling serious and organised crime in all its forms and ensuring police have the capabilities they need protect communities from harm.

We are delivering the Safer Streets mission to create a safer, fairer country for all and have increased funding for policing by more than half a billion pounds next year, including over £260million for the core grant and additional funding for neighbourhood policing.

Found: Trade Rt Hon Greg Hands M P Minister of State (Minister for Trade Policy) From 13 November 2023 Nigel Huddleston

Found: Trade Rt Hon Greg Hands MP Minister of State (Minister for Trade Policy) From 13 November 2023 Nigel Huddleston

Found: Trade Rt Hon Greg Hands MP Minister of State (Minister for Trade Policy) From 13 November 2023 Nigel Huddleston

Found: Return Nil Return Laura Trott Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nigel Huddleston

Found: Return Nil Return Nil Return Laura Trott Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nil Return Nigel Huddleston