Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 191
191
Accepted in Part
Develop and deploy comprehensive anti-drone strategy and technology across high-risk prisons
Recommendation
A clear and sufficiently resourced strategy is needed to address the evolving nature of drone technology. This strategy should look beyond current capabilities and anticipate future threats, such as the potential for drone- facilitated escapes and the delivery of firearms, ensuring that security measures remain ahead of criminal innovation. All high-risk prisons should be put in a position to deploy comprehensive anti-drone technology and implement upgraded physical security measures, such as windows, within 24 months. The MoJ must adopt the ‘Sky Fence’ system, or equivalent signal disruption technology, across the prison estate, as a matter of urgency. (Recommendation, Paragraph 105) 65
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts, committing to developing a comprehensive counter-UAS strategy and launching industry challenges. A program to upgrade physical security at high-risk sites, including drone-resistant designs and barriers, will commence delivery by the end of 2025, but specific anti-drone technologies like 'Sky Fence' are not explicitly committed.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Partially accept We recognise the evolving threat posed by drone technology and agree that maintaining security measures ahead of criminal innovation is essential to protecting the prison estate and public safety. HMPPS works hard to deter, detect and disrupt the illegal use of drones targeting our prisons. Whilst we cannot share details on our counter-drone measures, as doing so would aid sophisticated serious and organised criminals, HMPPS uses suitable technology, alongside physical countermeasures and intelligence tools, with the support of law enforcement agencies, to disrupt those who use drones. We also work with UK and global partners to understand the tactics used abroad and identify opportunities to strengthen our response to illicit drone activity. Tackling drones requires a cross-Government approach, as well as learning from international counterparts. We are working with EU and Five Eyes partners who face similar challenges in their prison estates, as well as with cross-government partners such as the Home Office and Ministry of Defence. The MoJ is actively exploring research and development opportunities to strengthen our counter-drone capability. This includes scoping a comprehensive counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) strategy, leveraging foresight research, and launching industry challenges through programmes such as Defence and Security Accelerator and His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre. These challenges will provide innovative and novel capabilities that are suitable for operational environments, ensuring safety and compliance with legal frameworks. We remain committed to delivering a robust, future-focused counter-drone strategy that anticipates emerging threats. In terms of improved drone-resistant physical security, a programme of works to upgrade security in the Estate—with a particular focus on high-risk sites—is in design and development, with delivery to commence by the end of 2025, and this has included developing new designs for key assets across the prison estate, to reduce the ability of drones to deliver directly to windows. We are taking steps to improve physical barriers including catenary wires, windows and window-grilles.