Police drones deployed in Coventry to track suspects
Drones are operating in Coventry as part of a new national police project
Police drones based in Birmingham have begun patrolling Coventry to support officers by gathering evidence, tracking suspects, and improving emergency response times.
The operation is part of a five-year national project known as Drone as First Responder, which aims to explore how remote-controlled drones can enhance police effectiveness and public safety.
Currently, these drones are housed in automated charging stations on the roof of a central building in Coventry. Controlled remotely by trained police pilots in Birmingham, the drones are deployed to specific incidents reported within a 2.5km radius of their base. Equipped with high-definition cameras and thermal imaging, the drones relay real-time visuals of incidents back to the control room and officers on the ground before they arrive.
National project explores drone technology
The National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) leads and funds the Drone as First Responder project as part of the ‘Beyond Visual Line of Sight Pathways Project.’ Six other police forces across England are also participating, including Cheshire, Cleveland, Metropolitan, Norfolk, Thames Valley, and North Yorkshire.
In the past 12 months, Coventry's police drones have contributed to quicker responses, improved decision-making, and saved officer time.
Examples of their effectiveness have included identifying that trespassers on a motorway were truck-spotters using a legal viewing platform, pinpointing locations of dangerous motorway debris, and aiding in searches for high-risk missing individuals.
They have also played a role in suspect tracking, including locating a teenager allegedly carrying a gun, as well as a man accused of strangulation, which aided their arrests.
Enhancing safety and crime prevention
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Welsted, who oversees innovations in West Midlands Police, emphasised the significance of drone operations.
“Working with the Civil Aviation Authority, the project is fully funded by the Home Office," said Welsted.
He added that the initiative allows officers to respond efficiently, improves their situational awareness and contributes to local safety measures.
Welsted described the project as a “hugely exciting innovation related to the very latest capability around police use of drones.”
Remote-controlled drones in Coventry are further complemented by features such as parachutes for safety and weather-monitoring systems that can instruct them to land if conditions become unsafe.
A wider drone strategy for Coventry
Drone deployment in Coventry benefits from the city’s established ‘drone-ready’ status, following efforts to integrate drones into the region’s infrastructure since 2025. The initiative is part of a broader collaboration between local councils, businesses, universities, and the government. The vision also includes plans for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, sometimes referred to as drone taxis.
Since West Midlands Police first adopted drones in 2017, they have supported major security operations, including Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market, political conferences, and the Commonwealth Games.
The force established its dedicated 24/7 drones unit in April 2023, currently operating with 15 drones and 20 trained pilots.