Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many weapons in each category were found in each prison in each year since 2010.

Weapon seizures have dropped with improvement in detection methods and as a result there are fewer attempts at smuggling of weapons through reception and visit areas. New and enhanced technology as well as dedicated search teams have contributed to that fall in the smuggling of weapons.

The new Crime in Prison Agreement between HMPPS, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the police has also resulted in crimes committed whilst in prison or in smuggling in illicit items being consistently referred for prosecution to the police. This sends a clear message to those who commit crimes that they will be punished through the courts and face the consequences of their actions

Data on weapons held in prison has been collectively systematically since 2015 and is enclosed. Prior to that date it was not collected consistently and so a calculation cannot be reliably provided.

Data and information on weapons finds is routinely published as part of the normal publication schedule, and data on 2018-19 will be published in due course.

Data table is attached.