Time for ‘no-dronezones’ over prisons

The endless struggle to keep contraband out of Scotland’s prisons has stepped up a gear as determined criminals have taken to the skies. Unmanned aerial vehicles – commonly known as drones – are being used in attempts to smuggle drugs and other items into Perth Prison.

It is unclear if any such schemes have been successful but there have been at least two failed attempts. Terrifyingly, one resulted in a package of deadly narcotics landing in a domestic garden where pets or children could easily have ingested them.

The authorities, more used to dealing with packages being posted and carried by visitors, insist they are on top of the developing situation but it is a worrying sign of the times that such easily-accessible technology can be used for nefarious purposes.

At present, the flying contraptions are noisy and easy to spot but it is only a matter of time before they become more sophisticated.

To most, it is obviously inadvisable and irresponsible to fly a drone over a prison but the desperation of inmates and other criminals snared in the deadly drugs trade – addicts and dealers – drives them to any lengths to get their hands on illicit substances.

It is time the authorities considered “no-fly-zones” over such sensitive buildings with harsh penalties to be faced for breaches.