British Transport Police (BTP) has launched its new remote ‘drone in a box’ capability, becoming the first police force in the UK to operationalise this technology.
The drones will be based at key locations across the network where BTP is aware of spikes in railway trespass and other disruption incidents, and flown remotely from the force’s control room in London.
The majority of typical drone operations are conducted within the Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) of the pilot, which is around 500 metres for a small drone. However, the police are able to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). BTP is the first police force in the UK to obtain legal advice and use BVLOS routinely and regularly in support of policing, rather than just for emergencies. In March, BTP posted a vacancy for a BVLOS insight analyst.
“As well as the relevant legal advice, our dedicated team have carried out significant work behind the scenes to ensure they are operating under a robust framework in which to fly safely,” BTP said. “On 24 April, we hosted a launch event at one of the pilot sites in Leeds which involved a live demonstration of the drone capability for our industry partners including Network Rail, Department for Transport, NPCC Drones, West Yorkshire Police, Northern Rail, and the British Transport Police Authority.”
For more information
VIDEO: Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi introduces the drone in a box capability (opens in YouTube)
