Raids target suspected drone prison smugglers

Police are investigating drone drops at HMP Hindley

Police have raided two houses as part of an investigation into drones being used to smuggle contraband into prisons and found a machete and mobile phones.

The homes in Little Hulton, Salford, were searched by officers after it was found that banned items, like drugs and tobacco, were being dropped into HMP Hindley.

No drones were found during the raid and no arrests were made, but police said the "large" knife and several phones could have been destined for jail.

Greater Manchester Police Sergeant Simon Monks said the raids followed a "real upsurge" of drone deliveries into prisons in November.

Two homes in Salford were targeted by police

Sgt Monks said drones were increasingly being used to fly illicit items like drugs, phones and sim cards, into prisons.

"People go into prisons to rehabilitate but when they're often flying drugs in there on the scale that we're seeing at the moment that makes things much more difficult," he said.

Officers found several mobile phones they suspected would be sent to jail, police say

Sgt Monks dded: "When you consider that drugs are worth much more in prisons than they are on the streets, it's very lucrative for those who are organising the delivery into prisons.

"There's much more money to be made.

"When it does reach the prison it can fuel violence, disputes, money owed which all perpetuates issues inside."