Joint operation targeting illegal drone activity in Manchester prisons

Last month, Prison Intelligence Officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) joined forces with Greater Manchester Police and His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in a three-week crackdown to tackle illegal drone activity in Manchester's prisons.  

During the three-week period, a series of targeted operations were conducted to disrupt this activity and arrest those involved. On Thursday, 7 February 2025, a drone was spotted flying from a car park on Sherbourne Street West in Manchester. Upon arrival, GMP officers identified and arrested four men on suspicion of Conspiracy to Convey Prohibited Articles into Prison. Shortly after, the drone returned and landed nearby with a package attached containing suspected Class A and Class B drugs. All four men have been released pending further investigations.

As a result of coordinated cell searches, HMPPS staff seized:
- 14 weapons (including flick and lock knives, and multiple improvised weapons)
- 16 mobile phones and 8 sim cards
- 4 USB/ SD cards
- 26 drug seizures (including cannabis, 28 epilepsy tablets).

Additional activity included communal area searches with dedicated search teams from across HMPPS and disruptive actions against people believed to be involved in organising drone deliveries into HMP Manchester. This included relocating the suspected prisoners to different areas within the prison and out of HMP Manchester, to disrupt their activities and prevent further coordination of illegal drone operations. 

GMP and HMPPS officers also searched Staff members and their vehicles as they headed into work. Members of the public who were on social visits, were also checked before they headed inside the prison walls to see their loved ones. 

Detective Superintendent Claire McGuire from the NWROCU said: 

"Organised criminals are determined to smuggle drugs, weapons, phones, and other illicit items into prison estates. This contraband increases the risk of violence towards staff and inmates, and exacerbates the struggles of those affected by addiction who are attempting to rehabilitate while serving their sentences.

"Tackling the use of drones to convey drugs and other illicit items into prisons is one of our top priorities. We will continue to collaborate with Greater Manchester Police, HMPPS, and other relevant agencies to disrupt this activity, which fuels organised crime. By working closely with prisons and sharing intelligence, we can enhance our efforts in preventing contraband from entering prison estates.

"I urge members of the public living or working near prisons to report any drone sightings over prison estates. By reporting such criminal activities, we can collectively work to keep everyone safe from harm."

Detective Superintendent Andy Buckthorpe, GMP's Force strategic lead for threat from Organised Crime in Prisons said:

“The recent three-week intensification period targeting illegal drone activity across Greater Manchester's four prisons demonstrated what we can achieve through collaborative enforcement.

“Working alongside our valued partners from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, we've disrupted significant criminal operations attempting to breach prison security via drone drops.

“We have stopped contraband deliveries being made and arrested suspects outside of HMP Hindley and HMP Manchester, underlining our commitment to putting a stop to this ongoing issue.”

Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord James Timpson said:

“I would like to thank our amazing prison staff for their role in these arrests. This Government is clamping down on the drugs and weapons that wreak havoc behind bars, and criminals who smuggle such items into our jails will feel the full force of the law.”

Rob Knight, Governor at HMP Manchester said: 

"Excellent partnership working, bringing together numerous HMPPS teams, staff from several LTHSE prisons, as well as GMP, NWROCU and the NCA.  Making this a highly coordinated and effectively executed operation to disrupt organised crime in HMP Manchester."