Report Summary
This report provides members of the Policing Performance Committee with an overview of Aviation Safety & Security Unit Update.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Policing Performance Committee - 11 October 2022
Date : 11 October 2022
Location : online
Summary
As evidenced the number of UAVs and UAV operators continues to increase on a yearly basis. While currently all operators of a drone above 250g require a licence from the CAA the reality is these licences are fairly easy to obtain. The use of UAVs will arguably continue to increase as the technology advances.
With this increase comes not only an inherent public safety risk through collisions but also a wider use of drones by criminals.
While the current security and criminal threat from UAVs is low, the increased use continues to place additional demands on the aviation unit. The unit continues to evolve to meet these challenges, taking on more of a co-ordination role. The role of the unit is likely to develop into one where it co-ordinates training, upskilling of front-line officers, specialist equipment and deployments from across the force rather than directly responding.
