Prison chiefs are investigating the potential threat of drones being used to smuggle contraband into Scottish jails.
Remote-controlled drones, right, are a low-cost way of transporting goods, and are increasingly being used to get around prison security measures.
In England alone prison bosses have intercepted seven plots to use drones over a four-month period a stark rise on the two incidents recorded in 2014.
Experts are calling on Scottish authorities to consider investing in technology to prevent the problem spreading north of the border.
One such development which could hinder the ability of crooks to use drones is a jammer, which would break the connection from the remote control to the drone.
The countermeasure is being developed by a UK consortium.
Marin Brook, of Brighter Surveillance, one of the companies involved in the consortium, said: “When you have drones flying over the White House or a political rally, you do not need to be too imaginative to realise that they can be used maliciously to smuggle drugs, phones and weapons into prisons.”
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice warned culprits could face a sentence of up to two years.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service added: “We are currently aware of the potential for drones to be used illegally and discussions are ongoing as to the potential threat.”