The Metropolitan Police have unveiled a new drone fleet that can be launched remotely to respond to emergency calls across London. The aircraft are designed to arrive at incidents within just two minutes, streaming live footage back to trained operators in a control room.
Known as the Drone as First Responder programme, the initiative has initially launched in Islington, with plans to extend to the West End and Hyde Park before December. The drones are housed in weather-proof boxes on the roofs of selected police buildings, where they remain on charge until deployed by control room staff.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the national lead for drones, said the technology is ‘quicker, quieter, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than existing police helicopters’. He added: ‘We are building a Met that is more precise and efficient than ever before, and this new technology gives us a vital new tool to tackle crime in the capital.’
The drones will be used for a variety of incidents, including searching for missing people, tracing suspects, and capturing evidence at scenes. The footage is transmitted in real-time to support decision-making and provide evidence. After each deployment, the drone returns to its box to recharge and prepare for its next mission.
The Metropolitan Police are not alone in trialling this technology. Other forces including Norfolk, Cleveland Police, West Midlands, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, and Thames Valley are also participating in the pilot, which has been pioneered by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
