More than 500 mobile phones, electronic devices, and SIM cards have been seized from inmates at HMP Manchester.
The seizures come as part of Operation Sheriff, which is a multi-agency initiative targeting the movement of drugs, weapons and illicit contraband into prison facilities.
Mobile phones and SIM cards are often used by prisoners to coordinate serious organised crime across Greater Manchester, involving drug and weapon supply, and serious violence.
Detective Sergeant Carla Dalton from the city of Manchester Prison Team said:
“Every single phone we remove from a prison cell is a blow to organised crime. These devices are not harmless – they are used to arrange drug deals, weapon drops and even plan violent attacks.
“By seizing and destroying these electronic devices, we are cutting off the line that offenders rely on to continue their criminality from behind bars. This work is about protecting the public and ensuring that those serving sentences cannot exploit technology to harm our communities any further.”
Having an electronic device in prison is an offence under the Prison Act 1952 and the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and any prisoner found guilty of possessing a device could face additional jail time.
