Transforming Policing from Above: The NPCC Drones Portfolio and the BVLOS Pathway Programme
Cover Image: Concept generated by AI.
The integration of drones into UK policing is reshaping how we deliver operational support, manage risk, and respond to incidents. Through the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Pathway Programme, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) is embedding science and technology at the heart of frontline practice, moving from concept to capability at pace.
The BVLOS Pathway Programme, led by T/Superintendent Taryn Evans, who brings extensive operational experience in air support, intelligence and counter-terrorism, is delivering the vision for blended air support. One flagship concept being trialled in this programme is Drone as First Responder (DFR) model. DFR demonstrates how BVLOS-enabled drones can be deployed autonomously to incidents, to support to officers on the ground.
Consider a recent deployment: a call comes in, and within 90 seconds a drone is airborne, providing live situational awareness to officers enroute. This immediate intelligence enables teams to arrive better prepared, make informed decisions, and deliver safer outcomes for the public and for colleagues.
In essence, DFR is one of the most advanced applications being developed under the broader BVLOS Pathway Programme.
The Case for Drones
Aviation has long been a critical enabler in policing, but the operational environment is evolving rapidly. The NPCC Aviation Strategy 2025–2035 articulates a vision for a blended model of air support, combining the strengths of traditional crewed aircraft with the agility, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of advanced drone technologies.
Strategic Vision: Blended Air Support for Modern Policing
The NPCC’s strategy addresses the limitations of an ageing crewed fleet and the financial pressures facing police forces nationwide. Drones offer a solution that is not only operationally flexible but also environmentally sustainable and economically viable. The ambition is clear: by the early 2030s, UK policing will possess an aviation support capability that is immediate, agile, and seamlessly integrated into frontline operations.
This enables police forces to match aviation assets to operational needs.
As T/Superintendent Taryn Evans explains, the focus is on building a system where both platforms complement each other, allowing forces to adapt to local requirements, risk appetite, and budget. The strategy emphasises that this integration is not about replacing one technology with another but about creating a future-ready model of air support that is both effective and sustainable.
Forces are supported in this process through national guidance, shared data, and access to innovation emerging from the NPCC Drones Portfolio. The result is a flexible, locally adaptable system underpinned by consistent national standards and strategic oversight.
The BVLOS Pathway Programme: Objectives and Achievements
Ensuring the safe and accountable use of drones in policing is a complex undertaking and one that goes beyond simply sending a drone into the sky. As T/Superintendent Taryn Evans has emphasised, the foundation of this programme lies in the rigorous standardisation and professionalisation of every aspect of drone operations. This includes detailed processes for pilot selection and training, the development of comprehensive operational manuals, and the application of advanced risk modelling to identify and mitigate both air and ground risks.
The resulting Police UAS Operations Manual is the product of this meticulous approach, setting out a governance and risk framework that aligns with the standards of crewed emergency aviation. Developed in close partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the manual incorporates a bespoke ‘state operators’ risk model’, enabling police drone operations to expand while maintaining strict oversight and safety standards. This model addresses everything from airspace integration and operational safety to data security.
Before any drone is deployed, the team has already considered a wide range of factors: potential hazards, airspace conflicts, privacy safeguards, and robust lines of accountability. This ensures that every flight is not only effective but also meets the highest benchmarks for safety and public trust.
Operationalising Drones as a First Responder
In preparation for this vision, the NPCC is continuing to expand its programme of drone trials, with emphasis on the operationalisation of the Drone as First Responder (DFR) model.
These trials are being conducted across both urban and rural environments to assess the practical benefits of autonomous drone deployment in varied policing contexts, including searches for high-risk missing persons, suspect tracking, evidence recovery, public order management, counter-terrorism operations, and rapid response to major incidents. Drones are also being tested for tasks such as crime scene documentation, road traffic collision imaging, and protective security checks on critical infrastructure.
Operational Impact: Data, Outcomes, and Lessons Learned
The scale and rigour of data collection and analysis underpin the BVLOS Pathway Programme. In the past year alone, drones have been deployed nearly 54,000 times, with approximately 70,000 flights - outstripping helicopter deployments by a factor of seven1.
In fact, drone deployments have yielded measurable improvements across a range of policing outcomes. As T/Superintendent Taryn Evans explains:
“We’ve located nearly 1,500 high risk missing persons in circumstances where conventional air support, like helicopters would not have arrived in time.”
Drones have also played a critical role in identifying and apprehending a comparable number of suspects, providing frontline officers with timely intelligence and evidential footage that has directly supported arrests and case progression.
Officer safety has seen notable gains, with drones routinely used to assess risks and identify hazards prior to physical engagement. This capability has proven particularly valuable in dynamic or potentially volatile environments, allowing officers to make informed tactical decisions while reducing exposure to harm. They are now routinely deployed for search and rescue operations, public order management, surveillance, and evidence gathering, offering a flexible and scalable resource that complements existing policing methods.
One officer shared: “Having drones overhead before we go in makes a huge difference. We can see what’s happening in real time, spot risks like weapons or escape routes, and plan our approach properly. It takes away so much uncertainty and enhances the safety of officers and the public.”
Lessons from the Field
Trials have highlighted both opportunities and challenges. For example, finding suitable rooftop sites for DFR deployment has required innovative solutions, including desktop reviews and new protocols for site selection.
“The hardest thing for us has been finding suitable roof space. We need flat load-bearing roofs and to have good line of sight out of building, power, connectivity, they need to be accessible but also secure” T/Superintendent Taryn Evans adds.
Advanced safety features have been integrated, such as automated collision avoidance, emergency parachutes, and robust data security measures.
Collaboration with British manufacturers has supported the development of sovereign drone solutions, ensuring that systems are secure, resilient, and fit for purpose.
Innovation in Practice: Technology, Training, and Professional Standards
Innovation extends beyond technology to encompass people, training, and professional standards. A comprehensive training framework for drone operators ensures that every officer is equipped with the skills and knowledge required to operate safely and effectively.
A bespoke software platform collects operational data from all 47 forces, enabling performance monitoring, trend identification, and continuous improvement. Monthly data submissions, qualitative surveys, and analytical support from the Metropolitan Police ensure a rigorous and responsive approach.
Ethics, Public Trust, and Community Engagement
Innovation in policing must be balanced with public trust and ethical responsibility. The approach is grounded in transparency, engagement, and accountability.
T/Superintendent Taryn Evans observes:
“Most people have, in the first instance, been thankful for using modern technology to solve a problem. DFR is never instead of officers, but ahead of them so that you can see what’s going on.”
Proactive engagement with communities, stakeholders, and regulators ensures that every deployment is understood and supported. Safeguards include:
A comprehensive study on the ethics of police drone use is underway, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham and the University of Southampton, to ensure that the approach reflects the values and expectations of the communities served.
The Road Ahead: Scaling Up and Sustaining Change
The future of police aviation support is ambitious and achievable. Over the next five years, the following priorities are set:
Operationalisation of DFR in multiple sites, integrating it fully into local and national policing models.
Expansion of longer-endurance, fixed-wing drones for open-area searches, surveillance, and specialist operations, which builds on the capabilities of the multi-rotor drones currently used for short-range, tactical deployments.
Continued development and refinement of training, governance, and evaluation frameworks.
Support for a vibrant police aviation technology landscape, fostering innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
T/Superintendent Evans concludes: "This is completely transformative to how we police. It gives us the ability to access information and locations that were previously out of reach or required physical presence, eliminating significant risks and dangers."
1. NPCC Aviation Strategy 2025–2035 for Chiefs Council July 2025 (https://www.npcc.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/publications/disclosure-logs/npcc-central-office/2025/2412-2025-session-4-15092025.pdf)
