Drone Drama at HMP Hindley as Two Men Arrested in Bold Operation
In a striking blow against organised crime, Wigan’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, working hand-in-glove with Prison Liaison Officers, have apprehended two men and seized a drone in a dramatic operation outside the walls of HMP Hindley.

The incident, which unfolded on the evening of Tuesday, 28 January 2025, marks the latest success in an ongoing crackdown on illicit activities targeting the region’s prisons.
The operation forms part of Operation Gatehouse, a relentless initiative spearheaded by Greater Manchester Police in collaboration with His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU). Over the past year, the joint effort has focused on dismantling networks involved in smuggling drugs and other prohibited items into prisons, a scourge that continues to plague the criminal justice system.
The drama began when officers on proactive patrol near HMP Hindley spotted two men behaving suspiciously. Keeping a watchful eye, the team tracked the pair as they made their way towards the prison walls. Acting swiftly, officers moved in, detaining the suspects and recovering a drone believed to be part of a plot to smuggle illegal contraband into the facility.
The two men, both in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion of Conspiracy to Convey Prohibited Articles into Prison. They have since been released on bail pending further investigation.
The seizure of the drone underscores the evolving tactics employed by criminals attempting to breach prison security. Drones have become an increasingly common tool in smuggling operations, prompting authorities to step up surveillance and response measures.
As Operation Gatehouse continues to gain momentum, this latest incident sends a clear message: the net is tightening on those who seek to undermine the justice system.