Operation Nook: Jimmy sniffs out trouble at prison
Visitors to a Shropshire prison were targeted as police officers searched cars in an operation to tackle the smuggling of illicit goods.
The officers, along with sniffer dog Jimmy, stopped every car visiting the Stoke Heath prison for several hours hoping to catch visitors intent on bringing drugs, phones or tobacco to inmates.
The operation, between midday and 3pm yesterday, found a woman driving under the influence of drugs and with cannabis in her car, and another using a provisional driving licence.
A man was found to have a prison tag barring him from going near the site without permission, and a woman was caught driving without insurance.
The day's action was part of Operation Nook, which had been planned for weeks.
The woman who tested positive for cannabis was arrested and taken to Shrewsbury's police station, and Detective Sergeant Matt Hodgson said all four motorists would have their vehicles seized, and be given court dates.
"It's a good result," he said. "There is the prevention element of getting these problems off the roads, but there is also a deterrent element to it.
"The inmates will get to hear that the police have been here searching cars and that will have an effect.
"Some of the people might have got wind that we are here and then decided not to bring anything.
"That is still a positive because it means that the drugs are not getting into the prison.
"It is a success either way."
Problem
Visiting time at the prison was between 2pm and 3pm, but between 20 and 30 officers set up on the entrance driveway from about midday.
They stopped every car that approached, and although members of the prison staff passed straight through, about 15 civilian drivers were asked to pull over and have their cars searched.
Prison sniffer dog Jimmy inspected every occupant of the cars, including children, while the cars were checked for contraband.
Those found to have been driving illegally were processed at the site.
Operation Nook was carried out collaboratively by officers from the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), which draws on West Mercia Police among other forces.
The ROCU was supported by prison staff, and members of Market Drayton's Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) also pitched in.
Officer Alan Ambrose of the SNT said he welcomed the different agencies working together.
Operation Nook followed a similar operation at the prison some months ago, which Detective Sergeant Hodgson said had also been a success.
He said that Stoke Heath had historically had a problem with people throwing contraband over the walls of the prison, and that tobacco is a "big thing" currently.
He said: "It is surprising what they will trade in prison, what they are interested in.
"We can't stop everything coming in but we can make a difference."
