Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Security

Sixteen jails to receive X-ray scanners

Tough new security measures will be introduced at 16 of the most challenging jails – a major part of the government’s crackdown on crime behind bars.

Above: Minister of State for Prisons and Probation, Lucy Frazer QC MP.
Courtesy Ministry of Justice / Her Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service

Innovative new X-ray body scanners, developed specifically for the Prison Service, will produce instant images from inside the human body and can reveal internally concealed contraband, including drugs, mobile phones and weapons.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The cutting-edge technology will be installed first at 16 local jails with high volumes of remand prisoners – posing the greatest risk of smuggling. The £28 million that will pay for X-ray scanners across the estate is being funded from the government’s bold £100 million package to boost security.

The investment will fund new measures to tackle drugs and violence in prisons, including X-ray baggage scanners and metal-detection equipment, phone-blocking technology and a new digital forensics facility.

Prisons and Probation Minister, Lucy Frazer QC MP said: "New technology is a vital part of our efforts to stop those determined to wreak havoc in our jails. These scanners will help to stem the flow of contraband into jails and allow officers to focus on rehabilitation.

"We’re investing £2.75 billion to transform our prisons, creating 10,000 additional modern places, and stepping up security to cut crime and better protect the public."

HMP Leeds Governor Steve Robson, which already has an X-ray scanner, said: "The scanner has been a real game changer. In the year it has been in operation, it has found over 300 items of contraband, with prisoners finding drugs harder to come by at Leeds."

The first wave of jails has been prioritised after careful consideration and this will boost security where remand prisoners are received from courts. The use of X-ray body scanners at 10 other challenging prisons – as part of the ’10 Prisons Project’ - was successful in detecting contraband and contributed to a significant reduction in violence and drug use.

The installation at the 16 prisons will begin in Spring 2020, with all scanners expected to be in place by the Summer. The technology is set to be introduced in other prisons across the estate later this year.

Advertisement
Teledyne

The images produced by the scanner provide a level of detail inside the body that has not been seen before in the Prison Service.

The equipment is being funded by the government’s £2.75 billion commitment to transform the prison estate. This includes:

  • £100 million to bolster prison security, clamping down on the weapons, drugs and mobile phones that fuel violence, self-harm and crime behind bars
  • £2.5 billion to provide 10,000 additional prison places and create modern, efficient jails that rehabilitate offenders, reduce reoffending and keep the public safe
  • £156 million to tackle the most pressing maintenance issues to create safe and decent conditions for offender rehabilitation.

The prisons receiving scanners are HMP Exeter, Durham, Preston, Liverpool, Birmingham, Hewell, Lincoln, Bedford, Norwich, Chelmsford, Winchester, Elmley, Pentonville, Wandsworth, Bristol and Cardiff.
   
Adani Limited has been awarded a multi-year contract for the supply, installation and support of the X-ray body scanners.

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
UK and France agree scheme to address illegal Channel crossings

Security

UK and France agree scheme to address illegal Channel crossings

11 July 2025

The Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, have agreed a scheme to address illegal Channel crossings and dismantle the people smuggling networks.

IFS appoints Kriti Sharma as CEO of Nexus Black

Aerospace Security

IFS appoints Kriti Sharma as CEO of Nexus Black

11 July 2025

IFS has appointed Kriti Sharma as CEO of IFS Nexus Black. This strategic move reinforces IFS’s commitment to industrial AI and fast-tracks the development of agentic AI systems designed for the asset- and service-intensive industries it serves.

Met makes arrest milestone using LFR

Security

Met makes arrest milestone using LFR

10 July 2025

More than 1,000 wanted criminals have now been arrested by the Metropolitan Police Service using Live Facial Recognition (LFR), including paedophiles, rapists and violent robbers.

NCA arrest four for cyber attacks on M&S, Co-op and Harrods

Security

NCA arrest four for cyber attacks on M&S, Co-op and Harrods

10 July 2025

Four people have been arrested in the UK this morning as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation into cyber attacks targeting M&S, Co-op and Harrods.

Advertisement
Teledyne
Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

Defence Security

Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

10 July 2025

Metis has won a contract to supply a number of Skyperion drone detection systems to a NATO customer to provide the drone detect function as part of an integrated Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) capability.

Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

4 July 2025

Serco has appointed Keith Williams to the Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair designate.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT