Current timestamp: 17/06/2025 04:36:59
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal Activity[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-location' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Leave this site

Cookies

We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.

You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.

Accept cookies Reject cookies Customise cookies

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Close announcement bar

Alert Incident

Plane crash in Ahmedabad

The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved.

  • What to do if you have concerns about friends or family

Wiltshire Police force crest

  • Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Report a missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
    • Hate crime
  • Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
  • Back to Apply or register

    • Careers and volunteering
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Collision records fees
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Compensation for something the police have done
    • Request your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Feedback about the website
    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
  • Your area
  1. ...
  2. News

Three men arrested after suspicious package dropped by drone into prison grounds

Main article content

News
Published: 15:45 01/09/2023

Three people are currently in custody following suspicious activity near Erlestoke Prison.

Police were called to the area at approximately 1.30am today (1/9) following reports from prison staff that a drone had been seen flying over the prison believed to have dropped a package of suspicious items into the prison grounds.

Officers made way to the area and spotted a Nissan Qashqai which was stopped on Bath Road, Melksham, heading towards Shaw.

The occupants of the vehicle were seen to throw a drone from the vehicle which has been recovered and seized.

Three men, aged in their 20s, 30s and 40s, from the Bristol area, were arrested on suspicion of throwing a prohibited article into a prison.

All three are in custody at Gablecross for questioning.

Sgt Steve Edwards, of the Volume Crime Team, said: “Officers have done an excellent job in locating and seizing a drone and arresting three individuals so quickly after receiving the initial call. We are now progressing with our enquiries.

“Conveying prohibited items into a prison will not be tolerated and we take reports like this seriously. We have a positive and proactive relationship with colleagues at HMP and we will continue to work closely with the staff there as part of this investigation and to prevent further incidents of this nature taking place.”

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote crime reference number 54230092035.

Share

Footer navigation

Wiltshire Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • News
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy notice

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention advice
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Stats and data
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Police and Crime Commissioner
  • Police.uk

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.