British Transport Police Expand Drone Capability
British Transport Police have launched their seventh remote drone site, enhancing their ability to respond to incidents and emergencies
The British Transport Police have completed the first phase of their Drone in a Box project, with seven operational sites now live. This project has been delivered through the force's Drones Development Programme, which focuses on integrating Beyond Visual Line of Sight drone technology into their operational capabilities.
Introduction to Drone in a Box
The Drone in a Box project enables drones to be launched and piloted remotely from a London-based control room, providing officers and Network Rail staff with live aerial intelligence within seconds. This technology is operated under a comprehensive Safety Management System to ensure safe operations for the aviation community and those on the ground.
The locations of the seven sites are strategically chosen as they are known trespass hotspots. The deployment of the Drone in a Box forms part of the British Transport Police's investment in innovative technology to keep everyone on the railway safe, reduce risk for officers and railway staff, and keep the network moving.
Benefits of the Drone Technology
Between 1 April and 25 July, the Drone in a Box Capability conducted 550 flights, with drones being the first resource on scene in 68% of operational incidents. The average response time was just three minutes and 28 seconds. The technology has already delivered tangible benefits for passengers and the rail industry, including preventing an estimated 7,911 delay minutes and delivering more than £600,000 in potential disruption savings to the railway.
The drone technology has also been used to assist vulnerable people and quickly assess reports of trespass. 20% of operational deployments have been to assist vulnerable people, while 44% of operational deployments were resolved through area searches which confirmed no trace of a reported person. Recent deployments have included assisting officers during the containment of a suspected burglar, locating a lineside fire, and helping safeguard a person in crisis.
Future Plans
According to BTP Chief Constable Lucy D'Orsi, the remote BVLOS drone capability is helping the force reach incidents faster, make better-informed decisions, and minimize disruption to the railway while keeping people safe. The force plans to continue investing in the capability, with a planned move to a new flight operations room in London and further sites scheduled to open in the coming months. Rupert Lown, Group Safety, Security, Health & Environment Director, DFTO, also praised the rollout of the drones, saying they are making a real difference to customers across the network.
