UAV's at crime scenes 1011/23
FOI Reference: 1011/2023
Request:
Please may you provide me with answers to the following:
- Do you use UAV’s at crime scenes? If so what type of scenes, Arson, missing persons, etc. and how many times have they been used in the last two years?
- Do you use your own UAV’s or subcontract UAV services from an outside body/Police force? If so which company/body do you use and what type of UAV?
- Have you ever used UAV’s to help search for clandestine graves or missing persons?
- How many staff do you have trained to deploy a UAV? What has been the cost of staff training?
- Are your UAV operators police officers or staff?
- If the answer is yes to any of the above what has been the approx. cost internally and externally?
Response 1:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
Please note: Dyfed-Powys Police have only been using drones operationally since March 2023.
Drones are utilised for crime scene evidence capture at all serious incident crime scenes as well as Serious RTC.
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Reasons For The Use of Drones Are Recorded as Follows |
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Emergency Incident, Permission for Commercial Operation (PfCO) |
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Other |
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Pre planned operation - Crime |
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Pre-planned operation - Firearms |
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Pre-planned operation - IID |
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Pre-planned operation - Missing person |
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Pre-planned operation - Public order |
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Pre-planned operation - RTC |
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Pre-planned operation - Traffic |
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Pre-planned operation (PfCO rules) |
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Simulation |
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Specialist - Event monitoring |
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Spontaneous incident - Crime |
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Spontaneous incident - Domestic |
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Spontaneous incident - Firearms |
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Spontaneous incident - Missing person |
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Spontaneous incident - Public order |
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Spontaneous incident - RTC |
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Spontaneous incident - Traffic |
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Testing |
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Training |
Drones have been deployed approximately 328 times up to the date of the request.
Response 2:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
All UAV’s utilised by Dyfed Powys Police are owned and operated by Dyfed Powys Police.
In the case of missing person or search and rescue operations overseen by / co-ordinated by Dyfed Powys Police, partner emergency services may utilise their own drones (e.g. Fire Service & Mountain Rescue Team)
Dyfed Powys Police do not utilise private sub-contractors for any drone deployments.
The Drones used by the force are National Police Chiefs Council approved in terms of the suppliers.
Response 3:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
A significant portion of Dyfed Powys Drone deployments are High Risk Missing Person incidents.
We have not as yet utilised drones to search for clandestine graves however this would be a viable option should we need to do so.
Response 4:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
We currently have approx. 12 operational drone pilots with a further 4 trained pilots within our Specialist Operations Training Unit.
Training is £333 per officer (plus VAT).
Response 5:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
Our operators / pilots are all warranted police officers.
Response 6:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
There are a number of internal and external financial considerations for UAVs (approx. estimations). Including the purchasing of the drones fleet, spare batteries, Insurance, software licence costs, CAA licence costs, Satellite costs, drone service costs.
Estimated costs: £66k (not including training).
It should be noted that as a result of the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such information that the information released may or may not be accurate.
(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 06.03.2024)