‘Drones are not a direct replacement for crewed aircraft’ says police air service
Wiltshire & Swindon PCC Philip Wilkinson says he wants to invest in drones to enhance air support across the county
Drones are not a direct replacement for crewed aircraft. That was the reaction to Wiltshire police commissioner Philip Wilkinson’s plans to replace helicopters with a fleet of drones.
In an exclusive interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Wilkinson said Wiltshire Police was paying £700,000 to the National Police Air Service for air support.
Talking about a contract signed “in the pre-drone era” for air support, Mr Wilkinson said: “We can now deliver most of our air support missions using our own drones, which are launched from the boots of officers’ cars.
“If I could invest in drones I’d have a really enhanced police aviation support system.”
In early September he told an oversight meeting of councillors from Swindon and Wiltshire: “We pay, regionally, £176,000 an hour for a fixed wing aircraft, and we’ve used it for two hours in the last year.”
Responding, chief superintendent Fiona Gaffney, chief operating officer at the National Police Air Service, said: “NPAS provides vital air support to police forces across England and Wales, including Wiltshire and its neighbouring counties.
“In the last year alone, NPAS responded to over 1,650 calls for service across the South West, including 139 in Wiltshire.”
She added: “It is important to note that drones are not a direct replacement for crewed aircraft. Frequently, it is the eyes of the three crew members on board an aircraft that makes the difference.
“The value of the human eye cannot be underestimated, and only with crewed aircraft can you get the full benefit of air support.
“Helicopters and aeroplanes offer endurance, speed and operational flexibility that remain essential – particularly in rural and geographically diverse regions.”
And she said NPAS was looking at ways of incorporating drone technology into its activities.
“We recognise the growing role of drones in policing and are actively exploring how they can complement our existing fleet,” she said.
“Our Beyond Visual Line of Sight uncrewed aircraft trials, funded by the Home Office, are testing long-endurance aircraft with advanced mission systems.
“These trials are helping shape the future of police aviation – including how uncrewed aircraft might be integrated into a national service.
“The trials are also helping inform the Civil Aviation Authority on how all future BVLOS drone operations might be safely integrated into UK airspace.”
She said she appreciated the financial pressures individual police forces were under, but was confident NPAS provided value for money.
“We are very aware of the significant financial pressures faced by police forces across the UK,” said chief superintendent Gaffney, “and I am confident that the aviation support given to forces from NPAS provides them with a cost-effective capability, reducing the time and resources required for protracted searches whilst enhancing officer safety.
“In line with the NPCC Aviation Strategy, our vision is a blended fleet – combining helicopters, aeroplanes and uncrewed aircraft – to ensure the right resource is available at the right time.
“This approach offers the best value and operational resilience for policing across the UK.
“We remain committed to working with all forces and police and crime commissioners to deliver a modern, effective and sustainable national air support service.”