Drugs and phones thrown into Shropshire prison grounds

They say a number of offenders have been throwing prohibited items over the fence into Stoke Heath Prison, near Market Drayton.

It comes after two men were arrested this week in connection with carrying out the offence.

Constable Mick Sturland, of the Market Drayton Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Offenders have been caught throwing mobile phones and drugs over the fence to Stoke Heath prison.

"This issue has been on the increase for several months and we have a liaison officer who works with prison staff to detect these offenders and hopefully apprehend them.

"Regular patrols are carried out by police and prison staff, and we would ask that local communities around the Stoke Heath area who witness suspicious persons and vehicles hanging around the prison perimeter fence to call 999."

Pete Waters, of Stoke-upon-Tern Parish Council, said: "It has been a problem over the years but I wasn't aware it has got worse.

"Police need to get to the bottom of it. We would echo their advice and urge people to help us try and eradicate it by people naming names."

Holly Claydon-Bevan, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said: "At approximately at 9.45am on Tuesday we received reports that items were believed to have been thrown into Stoke Heath Prison.

"Officers attended the prison and a 42-year-old man and a 26-year-old man, both from Denbigh, were arrested in connection with the incident. They are both currently on bail until March 12."

A Prison Service spokeswoman added: "Police were called to HMP/YOI Stoke Heath on Tuesday after prison officers discovered two people acting suspiciously near to the perimeter fence. A parcel containing contraband was also intercepted by officers.

"We take a zero tolerance approach to drugs and mobile phones in our prisons. We have made it illegal to throw any packages over prison walls and this offence is punishable by up to two years in prison."

Last year a report found weapons, drugs and alcohol were found at the prison.

Levels of violence at Stoke Heath were also found to be high.

The report by chief inspector of prisons Nick Hardwick suggested the availability of drugs and alcohol contributed to poor behaviour among inmates, but acknowledged most incidents were "low level".

He also said staff at the prison could do more to reduce the risk of prisoners re-offending after their release.

Mr Hardwick did say the prison was managing reasonably well and inspectors were pleased to find that it cared well for the most vulnerable men it held. The report followed an unannounced inspection of the prison carried out between April 13 and 23, when it housed more than 700 prisoners.

Stoke Heath is a closed adult male category C establishment with a young adult designation and small remand function. There is also a small 16-bed category D unit for prisoners "trusted in open conditions".