Police have carried out a crackdown on organised crime linked to HMP Forest Bank in Salford, targeting the supply of drugs and contraband into the prison.
The operation, carried out last month by Greater Manchester Police in partnership with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, focused on disrupting criminal networks using the prison to facilitate serious offences.
Officers were deployed both inside and outside Forest Bank, with roadside checks and stop-search powers used around the prison perimeter to intercept those suspected of smuggling illegal items into the jail, including through drone drops and throwovers.
More than 70 people and vehicles were searched during the operation. A man in his 40s was arrested outside Forest Bank on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon after officers found him with a knuckle duster.
Forest Bank was described as the “epicentre” of activity during the operation, with further arrests made for possession of Class B drugs and drug driving. In two separate incidents, suspects attempted to evade police after spotting officers carrying out checks at the prison entrance.
Ahead of the operation, officers also engaged with the local community, distributing leaflets to residents to raise awareness and promote the “See a Drone, Make it Known” campaign, which encourages people to report suspicious drone activity near prisons.
Detective Superintendent Iqbal Ahmed, GMP’s strategic lead for organised crime in prisons, said the operation sent a clear message to those seeking to exploit prison environments.
“Criminal networks often use prisons as a base to coordinate serious offences, including drug supply, violence and exploitation,” he said. “We will not allow that to happen in Salford.
“If you attempt to smuggle contraband or use prisons to orchestrate crime, we will identify you and bring it to an end.”
Prisons minister Lord Timpson said drugs and mobile phones “wreak havoc behind bars”, fuelling violence and undermining rehabilitation efforts.
He added that the Government is investing £40 million this year to strengthen prison security, including measures to combat drone activity such as reinforced windows and exterior netting.
