Good afternoon,

The rural Safer Neighbourhood Team, PC Prentice, PC Trowman and PCSO Harris will be holding a drop in session on Withy Trees Road, nearest to Shinehill Lane on Saturday 12th April at 1300 -1430 hours. The team will be around should you have any concerns regarding drone activity in your area. You are also more than welcome to come and see the team if you have any other matters you wish to discuss. 

Illegal drone activity in our neighbourhood

As residents of South Littleton, you may be aware that drones over the airspace of HMP Long Lartin have become a concern in recent months.

These drones are being used to drop illegal contraband into the prison, contributing to issues within the prison and organised crime groups outside, however, we recognise this could also be impacting you – our communities.

It falls to us, your local policing team, to help spot the drones where we can and keep our communities safe.

Did you know?

Since January 2024, ‘no fly zones’ have been in place around all closed prisons, including HMP Long Lartin. 

The restricted zones were enforced to crack down on the gangs using drones to smuggle contraband such as drugs, phones and weapons into prisons.

The new law makes it an automatic offence to fly drones within 400 meters of any closed prison or young offender institution in England and Wales, and offenders could face up to ten years in jail.

What are we doing to stop the drones?

We are continuing our relentless efforts to detect and disrupt the drones in the airspace over the prison and surrounding villages.

Communication between police and the prison is regular, with intelligence, information and prevention tactics being shared amongst partners. We are continuing to work with HMP Long Lartin to intercept the drones and hold those responsible to account. 

Help us spot the drones

As always, you are our eyes and ears in the heart of our communities, and the intelligence we gather from you is invaluable.

Information which has previously been reported to us in relation to drone sightings has directly led to drones being intercepted and, subsequently, the arrests of suspected offenders.

What can you do now?

Report information. Here are some things to look out for:

Suspicious vehicles – 

Offenders may repeatedly drive around the areas surrounding the prison to find a location where they can fly a drone from. We want to know if you see any suspicious vehicles. 

Drone sightings – 

It sounds obvious, but we want to know about ANY drone sightings, or flying patterns, nearby. Even ones outside of the no-fly zones.

How and when should you report information?

Don’t delay, straightaway.

As soon as you see something that doesn’t seem right, let us know. 

Please call 999.

You have the right stay anonymous

We don’t want to miss any intelligence which may help us intercept a drone.

If a drone isn’t currently airborne, but you have information and don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can report anonymously though Crimestoppers. It is 100% anonymous, they never ask your name, and they cannot trace your call or IP address. 

Help us keep our communities safe and stop the drones. 

Kind regards

PC Alex Prentice