Transforming rail incident response: BT’s Drone SIM powers police drone capability

• BT (BT.A) Business enables first national routine BVLOS drone operations in UK policing with British Transport Police
• Following the start of routine operations earlier this year, BT’s Drone SIM capability provides reliable connectivity that supports real-time intelligence, faster decision-making and safer responses, helping minimise passenger disruption
• In 2023/2024 more than 19,300 trespass incidents, approximately one every 30 minutes, occurred across the rail network. This new operational approach enables officers to assess incidents remotely, reducing delays in decision making and response time

BT Business is enabling the next generation of policing with British Transport Police (BTP) being the first police force to routinely operate national Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drones as part of day-to-day police operations.

Delivered using BT’s Drone SIM solution, and underpinned by EE’s resilient mobile connectivity at altitude, the service is enabling safer, faster responses to incidents across Britain’s rail network, and establishes a new operating model for policing.

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

Working together, BT and BTP have developed and launched a scalable Drone as First Responder capability that allows drones to be launched remotely from strategically located drone-in-a-box stations and piloted from BTP’s operations centre in London Bridge. BTP currently operates 7 drone-in-a-box locations across the rail network, with plans to expand with up to 14 sites over the next 2 years.

Using BT’s Drone SIM, which operates on the industry-leading EE mobile network, operators can securely maintain command-and-control connectivity and stream real-time UHD video, even beyond Wi‑Fi coverage and in complex RF environments. This supports the delivery of live aerial intelligence and faster operational decision-making.

It enables officers and rail operators to gain immediate situational awareness before personnel arrive on scene, improving decision-making, enhancing officer safety and helping reduce disruption for passengers by enabling incidents to be resolved faster.

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 said: “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”

BT is at the forefront of enabling advanced drone operations in the UK, providing innovative new solutions and the secure, resilient connectivity needed for mission-critical deployments. As drones become an increasingly important tool for transport, law enforcement and public safety organisations, BT is working with a range of organisations to turn emerging technology into real-world operational benefits - improving safety, efficiency and resilience.

Reference: Network Rail operational trespass incident records and delay attribution data 2023/24.

Source: Network Rail operational trespass incident records and delay attribution data 2023/24.