Skyfence to the rescue for UK drug mule drone problem
There is a growing problem in the UK with drones smuggling drugs into prisons, and the only ones that are being caught are the ones that have crashed. However, a solution maybe on the horizon with a cutting-edge defence system being trialled at Guernsey Prison, called the Skyfence, which essentially creates a virtual fence which is able to detect drones.
Guernsey is the first area in the British Isles to test this pioneering technology, as prisons all throughout the UK report that there is a rising number of drones being flown in to provide inmates with contraband such as drugs, and even mobile phones.
The 2,000ft fence acts as an invisible shield around the jail, and uses a series of sensors known as ‘disruptors’ to jam the drone by blocking the radio frequencies.
When a drone is detected the screen with turn black and the fence is able to send out a signal which will send the drone back to where it originally came from.
If the system works in Guernsey then it will hopefully be implemented all across the country.
The trial is currently underway at Les Nicolles prison in Guernsey, which is a mixed category jail with 139 inmates. Governor David Matthews commented: “I would like to see it adopted in other UK prisons because it has become a significant problem here.”
UK-based drone company, Drone Defence created the fence along with Eclipse Digital Solutions. The cost of installation can cost anything between £100,000 and £250,000.
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