BT Business is helping the British Transport Police (BTP) use drones as part of its everyday policing.
With the force now routinely operating drones beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight across the UK, the service uses the telecom giant’s drone SIM, supported by EE’s mobile network, to keep the drones connected while they are in the air.
According to BT, the move allows officers to view live incidents before they reach the scene, helping them make quicker decisions and respond more effectively.
BT and BTP have also developed a ‘Drone as First Responder’ service to help deal with some of the challenges faced by officers across the rail network, including more than 19,300 trespass incidents recorded in 2023/24.
BTP covers more than 20,000 miles of railway and deals with incidents including trespassing, welfare concerns and disruption, with many of these incidents occurring in remote areas, meaning officers can spend significant time travelling to the scene before they know exactly what they are dealing with.
As a result, drones can be launched remotely from “drone-in-a-box” stations positioned around the rail network and controlled by pilots at BTP’s operations centre in London Bridge.
BTP currently has seven of these sites and plans to double over the next two years.
The drones use BT’s Drone SIM over the EE network to maintain a connection with their operators and stream live UHD video. This means they can continue to send footage even when Wi-Fi is unavailable.
The technology also provides officers with an early look at what is happening, which can help them decide what resources are needed, improve safety and potentially reduce delays for passengers.
BT Public Safety & Justice Director, Sian Penny, 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.”
BTP Head of Drones Programme, Simon Bachelor, added: “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”
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