Toy helicopter flown into prison

A toy helicopter is believed to have been used in an attempt to smuggle contraband into a prison, it was revealed today.

Guards at Elmley Prison in Sheerness, Kent, spotted the miniature aircraft heading for the accommodation blocks one night after it was picked up by CCTV cameras.

However, staff could not find any trace of either the helicopter or the package which it appeared to be carrying underneath it when they searched the Category C jail.

A prison source told the Sun: "It could have been drugs or a mobile phone in the package. It is possible it was a dummy run."

The Prison Service confirmed the incident took place.

A spokesman said: "A remote control helicopter was flown into the grounds of HMP Elmley on 23rd December.

"As a result of this, a search of the prison grounds and an accommodation block were carried out and nothing was found."