Select a region
Guernsey Prison’s drone defence system looks like being part of the model for the prison security fight in the UK.
In 2017 a virtual forcefield was installed at Les Nicolles, which repels drones until they run out of power.
In November last year, Prison Governor John De Carteret said that none have been detected since it went live.
The UK Government yesterday answered an urgent question in the House of Commons from the Conservatives about the national security risk of drones being used to deliver weapons to high security prisons.
"The Government inherited a prison system in crisis, with violence and drug use on the rise," said Justice Minister Sir Nicholas Dakin.
"We are working hard to deter, detect and disrupt the use of drones. It is not possible to talk in detail of the tactics we use to disrupt drones, given the obvious security implications. What I can say is that His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service invests in targeted countermeasures such as improvements to windows, netting and grilles to stop drones from successfully delivering cargo such as drugs and weapons."
Labour MP Grahame Morris raised what was happening in Guernsey.
"The Prison Officers' Association has been saying for the past five years that the threat of drones destabilises our prisons and poses a massive security risk. Let me draw the Minister's attention to the anti-drone system at HMP Guernsey, which very effectively prevents that threat. Can we expect this new system to be implemented in all prisons in England and Wales?"
In response, Sir Nicholas said that anything that works will be built upon.
"Drone technology has been accelerated through the Ukraine war. We know that we need to work very hard to keep ahead of the felons on this."
Guernsey flies high with anti-drone technology
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.