Teen charged after weapon found outside Perth jail as detection dogs aid police and prison service patrols

A teenager has been arrested and charged in connection with possession of a weapon outside the grounds of a Scottish prison.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) have been working in partnership at HMP Perth where an 18-year-old man was arrested and charged on Thursday, March 14.

He is due to appear in court at a later date.

Two further men, who were visitors to the prison, were ejected due to concerns over drug use.

Officers have been carrying out high visibility patrols around the perimeter and surrounding areas of the prison to help deter and detect any illegal activity since Monday, March 11.

Detection dogs as part of SPS’s national tactical search unit, the operational support unit, and officers from road policing were deployed along with local community policing teams throughout the week.

Police Constable Scott Birrell, Prison Liaison Officer, said: “The work this week builds on our continued routine policing we conduct in conjunction with prison staff colleagues as we work to tackle drug misuse, and associated criminality, within prisons.

“Further high visibility and covert operations will be carried out in the future without warning and we will continue to use all available tools and tactics to remove illegal substances from our prisons.

“We depend on the continued support from our partners and our local communities and I would urge anyone who has any information, or concerns surrounding drugs, to contact police immediately so that we can investigate.

Officers have been carrying out high visibility patrols around the perimeter and surrounding areas at HMP Perth. Google Maps

“Information can be passed to us via 101 or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

An SPS Spokesperson said: “The SPS is committed to tackling the harms caused by misuse of contraband substances in our prisons.

“We have invested in technology to better detect suspicious substances, working closely with partner agencies to gather relevant intelligence.

“Rapiscan machines which specifically detect substances that may be concealed in items of mail and personal property, are now in use in all of Scotland’s prison.

“Individuals will use various methods, including drones, in an attempt to introduce contraband to our prisons.

“We deploy a range of robust security measures to prevent this and work closely with Police Scotland to investigate and identify any perpetrators.”