National BVLOS Drone Capability Launched Across UK Rail Network

British Transport Police has become the first police force in the UK to routinely integrate national Beyond Visual Line of Sight drone operations into daily policing, supported by BT Business connectivity solutions.

Operating across more than 20,000 miles of railway, the police force faces significant challenges when responding to trespass, welfare, and operational disruption incidents, many of which occur in remote locations. During 2023/2024, more than 19,300 trespass incidents occurred across the rail network, averaging approximately one every 30 minutes. Traditionally, officers have often needed to travel significant distances before assessing the situation, further delaying critical operational decisions.

To enable faster responses, BT and British Transport Police have developed and launched a scalable Drone as First Responder capability. The system allows drones to be launched remotely from strategically located drone-in-a-box stations and piloted from the central BTP operations centre in London Bridge. BTP currently operates seven drone-in-a-box locations across the rail network, with plans to expand with up to 14 sites over the next two years.

The operational model relies on BT’s Drone SIM solution, which runs on the EE mobile network to maintain connectivity at altitude. This allows operators to maintain secure command-and-control connectivity and stream real-time UHD video, even beyond Wi-Fi coverage and in complex RF environments. The resulting live aerial intelligence provides officers and rail operators with immediate situational awareness before personnel arrive on scene, helping improve decision-making, enhance officer safety, and reduce passenger disruption. As drones become an increasingly important tool for transport, law enforcement, and public safety organisations, BT is providing the secure, resilient connectivity required for mission-critical deployments across the UK.

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, British Transport Police, commented, “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”