Drones over prison getting 'bigger and noisier'

Helen Williams said the sound of drones flying overhead was "like a chainsaw"

A woman who lives near a high-security prison has said the sound of drones humming overhead to drop contraband to inmates sounds "like a chainsaw".

Inspectors in November said HMP Garth in Ulnes Walton, near Leyland, Lancashire, had become "like an airport" with so many drones flying in drugs.

Nearby resident Helen Williams said since the report, drones had been getting "bigger and noisier" and she feels the problem had been getting worse.

It comes after a 39-year-old man from Derbyshire was arrested on suspicion of sending illegal items into the prison on Tuesday after a drone was spotted circling above.

Inspectors have said HMP Garth had become "like an airport" with so many drones flying in drugs

He was also arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and has since been bailed, Lancashire Police said.

Ms Williams said the long-term problem was getting worse.

She said: "It makes me sad and [feel] unsafe because it is such big money business if we start reporting them and it comes known that we're reporting them, what repercussions could happen?"

Experts say drones are now able to deliver with greater precision due to technological advances

Drone expert Fevzi Turkalp said advancements in the devices means they can drop four packages at a time and are "becoming a bit like Amazon deliveries".

Mr Turkalp, editor of GadgetDetective.com, said the improvements to the technology meant drones are becoming much more capable.

He said: "You can have a screen on your controller, you can attach your phone to it, you can even wear smart glasses so you see as if you were the drone".

"Some of these drones can drop up to four packages in different locations so they do multi-drop.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "This government is investing £40m in new security measures to clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence behind bars.

"This includes £10m on anti-drone measures such as exterior netting and reinforced windows."