Visit from Prisons Minister as HMGCC explores counter-drone technology

Prisons Minister Lord Timpson visited a technical pitch day event at HMGCC this month, focused on combatting the threats of drones to prisons.

In November we launched a funded HMGCC Co-Creation challenge asking academia and industry to come up with drone detection solutions which could help stem the growing threat of drones to prisons.

More than 25 proposals were received and five organisations were invited to a pitch day, where they could present their ideas.

The counter-drone challenge invited industry to find cutting-edge solutions to detect drones designed by criminals to evade current detection methods available on the market.

Successful applicants are set to receive up to £60,000 of funding to develop proof-of-concept systems over a 12-week period. 

Recent news from the MOJ revealed that the number of incidents at prisons involving drones had soared by more than 770 per cent between 2019 and 2023, with devices increasingly being used by organised crime groups to smuggle contraband like drugs and phones into jails. 

Part of the challenge was launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), prompting a visit from Lord Timpson, Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Offending, to see HMGCC Co-Creation in action.

Lord Timpson was given the opportunity to witness part of the pitch day and then took time out to speak to our HMGCC Co-Creation team to find out more about our function in connecting the solutions of outside innovators with those who need them across government.

Chris, HMGCC’s Head of Co-Creation, said: “We were happy to host Lord Timpson’s visit to our drones challenge pitch day. We run challenges and pitch days throughout the year which reach out and find tech solutions to some of the problems faced by national security, law enforcement and defence.

“Lord Timpson’s presence at the event really helped underline just how important the incredibly innovative solutions produced by industry are to government. We are really proud to act as the front door for all of that innovation – helping industry and academia realise the ways their inventions and ideas can help the country.”

This builds on the announcement made by the Deputy Prime Minister last week to build counter-drone research and development capabilities, including battle-tested tactics from Ukraine.

(Image above shows Lord Timpson photographed signing the HMGCC Visitor Book)