A WOMAN prison worker has been arrested on suspicion of having class A and B drugs for supply at Erlestoke following a clampdown by police and the jail.

The 25-year-old woman from Chippenham was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply at 7.15am on January 27 following a stop and search by members of prison staff.

Cash, mobile phones and tobacco along with the drugs were found on the woman who was taken to Melksham police station for questioning. She was released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Sgt Pete Foster, from Wiltshire East Community Policing Team, said: “We have a close relationship with HMP Erlestoke and have a joint approach to tackling criminality at the prison, including the supply of drugs and other prohibited items to inmates.

“Our investigation into this specific incident is continuing but I want the public to be reassured that we are taking a proactive stance in combating these problems.”

The discovery of the suspect drugs on a staff member has sent ripples through the prison. It is understood a wider investigation is now taking place with other workers being spoken to.

In recent weeks the police have carried out regular patrols outside the prison fence to try and stop illicit items being thrown over. Visitors are also being carefully monitored and some are being stopped in vehicles before they arrive at the gates.

Last month two women were sentenced for bringing in prohibited items. One was received a suspended prison sentence for attempting to take steroids and sim cards into the jail and the other to a suspended sentence for taking cannabis in.

Sgt Foster said: “ It is within everyone’s interests to have a safe prison, and taking illegal and prohibited items into prison undermines this. We will continue to work in partnership with HMP Erlestoke to combat this issue, which includes both responding to concerns raised by the prison and proactive stops outside of the prison based on intelligence.

“In addition we regularly patrol the area to prevent throw-overs, and would encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious to report it.”

In 2017 inspectors said they were worried about the amount of drugs being used in the prison and told governor Tim Knight to make tackling drugs a top priority.