British Transport Police (BTP) has become the first UK police force to routinely operate drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) as part of day-to-day policing, using BT’s Drone SIM technology and EE mobile connectivity.
The new capability is being used to provide a faster way of responding to incidents across Britain’s rail network, allowing officers to gather live aerial intelligence remotely before committing personnel to an incident.
BTP operates across more than 20,000 miles of railway, where incidents such as trespass, welfare concerns and operational disruption can occur in remote or difficult-to-access locations.
The scale of the challenge is highlighted by the number of trespass incidents recorded across the network. More than 19,300 incidents were reported during 2023/2024 – equivalent to approximately one every 30 minutes.
Under the traditional approach, officers may have to travel considerable distances to reach an incident before they can properly assess what is happening. The new Drone as First Responder capability is designed to provide that initial assessment remotely, potentially allowing operational decisions to be made much sooner.
The system uses strategically positioned drone-in-a-box stations, from which drones can be launched remotely and operated by BTP personnel from the force’s operations centre at London Bridge.
Seven drone-in-a-box locations are currently operating across the rail network, with BTP planning to increase this to as many as 14 sites over the next two years.
Connectivity is provided through BT’s Drone SIM solution, which uses the EE mobile network to maintain command-and-control communications and transmit real-time ultra-high-definition video.
The technology is designed to maintain connectivity beyond conventional Wi-Fi coverage and in complex radio-frequency environments, allowing operators to receive live aerial imagery while the drone is deployed.
For BTP and rail operators, the ability to see what is happening before officers arrive could help determine the appropriate response and reduce the need to send personnel into potentially hazardous situations without first understanding the circumstances.
It could also help reduce disruption to rail passengers by allowing incidents to be assessed and, where possible, resolved more quickly.
Sian Penny, Public Safety & Justice Director at BT, said: “From emergency services to national infrastructure, BT plays a vital role in keeping the UK connected and protected.
“We’ve built on that experience in our work with the British Transport Police, unlocking practical new uses for drone technology, underpinned by the secure, resilient connectivity that critical services require.
“Together we’re delivering clear benefits for both passengers and rail operators, by giving officers real-time intelligence, improving safety and helping the rail network respond more quickly when incidents occur.”
Simon Bachelor, Head of Drones Programme at British Transport Police, said: “As the first UK police force to routinely operate BVLOS drones as part of day-to-day policing, we are transforming the way we respond to incidents across the rail network.
“Real-time aerial intelligence enables our teams to assess situations faster, deploy resources more effectively and improve safety for both officers and the public.
“This collaboration with BT demonstrates how innovation can support more efficient policing while helping to minimise disruption for passengers and rail operators.”
The project represents a significant step in the development of remotely operated drones for public safety and transport applications in the UK.
With BTP planning to expand its network of drone-in-a-box locations, the approach could provide wider coverage of the railway while giving its operations teams access to aerial intelligence without necessarily requiring officers to be physically present at the scene before an initial assessment can be made.
BT says it is continuing to develop drone connectivity solutions for mission-critical applications across transport, law enforcement and public safety, as remotely operated aircraft become an increasingly important operational tool.