CLACTON MP Giles Watling has demanded action over drones that drop drugs in prisons.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Watling offered a suggestion of "shooting the damn things down".

Mr Watling raised the idea during justice questions after telling ministers of examples of drug drops in his constituency.

Mr Watling said: "Short of shooting the damn things down what is his department going to do about it?"

Justice Secretary David Gauke thanked Mr Watling for his suggestion and told the Commons that there had been 32 recent convictions for drone-related crimes around prisons.

He said: "I thank him for his question and his suggestion, we are taking decisive steps to tackle drones bringing contraband into prisons.

"Under Operation Trenton prison service and police investigators intercept drones and track down the criminals behind them.

"To date there have been at least 32 convictions with those sentenced serving a total of more than 100 years in prison."