Police Scotland and Scottish Prison Service work to tackle illegal drug supply at HMP Perth

As part of continued working with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to tackle drugs entering prisons, officers have been working in partnership this week at HMP Perth.

Since Monday, 11 March, 2024, officers have been carrying out high visibility patrols around the perimeter and surrounding areas of HMP Perth to help deter and detect any illegal activity.

As a result, an 18-year-old man was arrested and charged on Thursday, 14 March, in connection with possession of a weapon outside the prison grounds. He is due to appear in court at a later date.

Two further men, who were visitors to the prison, were ejected due to concerns over drug use.

Specialist resources, including SPS’s National Tactical Search Unit (dog unit), the Operational Support Unit and officers from Road Policing, were deployed along with the local Community Policing Team throughout the week.

Police Constable Scott Birrell, Prison Liaison Officer, said: “The work this week builds on our continued routine policing we conduct in conjunction with prison staff colleagues as we work to tackle drug misuse, and associated criminality, within prisons.

“Further high visibility and covert operations will be carried out in the future without warning and we will continue to use all available tools and tactics to remove illegal substances from our prisons.

“We depend on the continued support from our partners and our local communities and I would urge anyone who has any information, or concerns surrounding drugs, to contact police immediately so that we can investigate. Information can be passed to us via 101 or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

An SPS Spokesperson said: “The SPS is committed to tackling the harms caused by misuse of contraband substances in our prisons.

“We have invested in technology to better detect suspicious substances, working closely with partner agencies to gather relevant intelligence.

“Rapiscan machines which specifically detect substances that may be concealed in items of mail and personal property, are now in use in all of Scotland’s prison.

“Individuals will use various methods, including drones, in an attempt to introduce contraband to our prisons.

“We deploy a range of robust security measures to prevent this and work closely with Police Scotland to investigate and identify any perpetrators.”