Police and Scottish Prison Service joint operation at HMP Perth

Work to tackle drugs entering the prison and inappropriate behaviour towards staff took place on the 2st and 22nd November

Police and SPS at HMP Perth
Author: Dale EatonPublished 27th Nov 2024

Continued work to deter and detect illegal activity at HMP Perth has seen the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and Police Scotland carry out covert and high visibility patrols at the prison.

Police say specialist resources, Operational Support Unit and Roads Policing Unit deployed with the local Community Policing Team on the 21st and 22nd November to tackle drugs entering the prison and inappropriate behaviour towards staff.

As a result, a 30-year-old man was cautioned and charged in connection with threatening and abusive behaviour, a 40-year-old woman was issued a warning in connection with threatening and abuse behaviour and two men, aged 24 and 26, were separately refused entry after detection by SPS drug dogs.

"Continue to use all available tools and tactics to remove illegal substances from our prisons"

Police Constable Scott Birrell, Prison Liaison Officer, said: “We have routine policing patrols and work in partnership with the Scottish Prison Service to deter criminal activity within prisons.

“High visibility and covert operations can be carried out without warning and we will continue to use all available tools and tactics to remove illegal substances from our prisons and address associated criminality.

"Information and support from our partners and the public is vital as we work to make our communities safer. I would urge anyone who has any information or concerns to contact police. Information can be passed to us via 101 or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

"Committed to tackling the harms caused by the introduction of illicit substances"

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: "Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of those who live and work in our prisons is one of our key priorities.

"We are committed to tackling the harms caused by the introduction of illicit substances, and the associated criminality which comes with them.

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

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