Eagles could be hired to intercept drones being used to smuggle drugs into prison, ministers revealed
Prisons Minister said the Government was considering using birds of prey to intercept the remote controlled devices
EAGLES could be flown into the war on drones used to smuggle drugs into Britain’s jails – Ministers revealed today.
Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah said the Government was considering using the birds of prey to intercept the remote controlled hi-tech devices as they are flown over prison walls.
There has been a sharp increase in attempts by lags’ pals to use drones to smuggle drugs into prison courtyards.
In one incident a drone was used to drop off mobile phones, SIM cards and drugs into the grounds of HMP Manchester.
The Dutch police have been training eagles since 2015 to take down rogue drones over airports and other sensitive areas.
Mr Gyimah said: “The new threat by drones is a game changer, not just for prisons but other parts of Government.
"That is why I'm working with ministers across the Government to engage with drone manufacturers to find a solution to this problem.
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"I'm keeping a close eye on what is happening internationally, particularly in Holland where they are using eagles to stop drones, and I'm sure we will find a solution in the UK which will take off."
Sources told the Sun the Government to introduce ‘no fly zones’ around jails – by forcing drone manufacturers to put prison coordinates in the kit’s software.
In one other radical option, the Ministry of Justice may also buy its own larger drones – which would then attempt to drop a net on smaller ones used in smuggling operations.
Figures obtained through a Press Association FOI request earlier this year revealed that there were 33 incidents of drones detected in or around prisons in England and Wales in 2015 - up from two the year before and none in 2013.
But Bill Oddie, who used to present Springwatch, rubbished the idea dismissing it as "pie in the sky".
He said: "That sounds like absolute poppycock to me.
"Why on earth would an eagle attack a drone anyway? I can't see why any bird of prey would suddenly think 'Oh, I wonder what that is? I'll go and eat a drone this morning instead of something else.' It doesn't make any sense at all to me."
He said Britain is home to two types of eagle - the golden eagle, which dwells in the mountains, and sea eagles, which feed almost exclusively on fish.
Mr Oddie said: "So unless you have got a nice fish-shaped drone to entice it, you won't have much chance.
"It sounds like absolute nonsense. To coin Ricky Gervais, I think I'd say 'you're having a laugh'.
"You can't train a bird to suddenly regard something as an enemy. Normally if they saw a drone coming they'd get the hell out of the way, I'd have thought."