4 teenagers arrested after drone spotted above high-security prison

Four teenagers have been arrested after reports of a drone circling over a maximum-security jail led to the seizure of contraband including drug paraphernalia.

A drone, mobile phones and suspected drugs were also found after a car containing the suspects, aged 15, 16, 18 and 19, was stopped on the A46 in Alcester, Warwickshire.

West Mercia Police said a seized "contraband package" was believed to be intended to be flown into HMP Long Lartin in south Worcestershire in the early hours of Friday.

The force said: "A report was received shortly before 2am today that a drone was circling the airspace above the prison in South Littleton. Inquiries were made and patrol officers were on the tail of a suspect vehicle by 2.25am".

"The car was stopped on the A46 in Alcester with four people inside. A quick response and good co-ordinated work meant the contraband package had not made it into the prison and it was seized".

Those arrested were held on suspicion of conspiracy to convey prohibited items into a prison and remain in police custody.

Detective Chief Inspector James Bamber said: “An immediate response from us and good policing work by everyone involved meant we were able to intercept a suspect vehicle before it reached its suspected final destination.”

Anyone who spots a drone near the prison or who has information about other suspicious activity near HMP Long Lartin has been urged to report the matter via 999 immediately.

(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.