How Thames Valley Police use drones
How Thames Valley Police use drones
Since launching a proof of concept in 2019, Thames Valley Police use drones as part of our day-to-day policing capabilities. Thames Valley Police only use drones overtly Thames Valley Police use a mixed fleet of drones, providing a variety of camera capabilities including high resolution, thermal imaging and enhanced zoom.
Drones assist police investigations and operations in a number of ways including:
- Situational Awareness/Overview of an incident
- Searches for missing people
- Intelligence development
- Air patrols to support policing priorities
- Crime scene searches and capturing evidential imagery
- Collision investigation – capturing scene photos/video and supporting traffic management planning
- Supporting the planning and resolution of warrants
The Thames Valley Police drone unit work alongside the National Police Aviation Service (NPAS), who have responsibility for police aircraft, to ensure the most appropriate air support is dispatched to each incident.
Prior to the deployment of any drone by police, there is consideration to confirm it is being used for a valid policing reason and that the technology that is cost-effective, environmentally friendly and aligns with the overarching priorities to help protect the community.
Thames Valley Police is certified by the UK Government Surveillance Commission to demonstrate that each deployment has a strong policing purpose, this certification is reviewed annually by an external independent company to ensure we are consistently maintaining and achieving the standards required for this accreditation. We also work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority around our use of drones.
Visit our drone advice page if you use or own a drone, to be sure all your flights are safe and legal.
Contact the Air Support Unit to request a view of the Thames Valley Police certification.