A new quicker, easier and environmentally safer way to search for missing people or to find a wanted person is by drone. 

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) have chosen Norfolk to lead a trial of Drone as First Responder (DFR) due to Norfolk Constabulary having one of the UK’s most effective police drone units. 

Stationed on the roof of the UEA’s Thomas Paine Study Centre, the drone is shletered in in a waterproof container ready to be deployed at moment’s notice. 

When needed the drone is piloted remotely relaying real-time footage that can be used in subsequent court cases and police reports. After use they will be sent back to their box where it is situated to re-charge for the next deployment. 

Prof Gerard Parr, Chair in Telecommunications Engineering at UEA’s School of Computing Sciences, was central in developing the DFR partnership between UEA and Norfolk Constabulary. 

Prof Parr said: “It’s great to be able to further develop our partnership on innovative technology initiatives with Norfolk Constabulary. 

“We hope to develop our collaborations further with Norfolk Police to provide employment opportunities for our Computing Science graduates and also explore joint research projects.” 

The hopes are DFR is able to improve response times to 999 calls by getting to the scene quickly in any environment to support the emergency services. 

Superintendent Taryn Evans is strategic lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council Drones team. She said: “The Norfolk trial is an important showcase of just how effective DFR can be at supporting our response to 999 calls, arriving on scene quickly and giving invaluable ‘eyes in the sky’. 

“Each trial enables us to test how DFR could work in different environments and support different operational purposes, enhancing both public and officer safety.” 

Norfolk Constabulary Superintendent Phill Gray said: “We’re pleased to collaborate with the NPCC, Home Office and UEA in testing and developing new technology which enhances the service we provide to our local communities and improves public safety.” 

Credit: UEA.

Compared with helicopters – the police’s normal way to get a bird’s eye view – a drone’s small frame allows it to capture footage in places a helicopter cannot go. For example, between trees or close to infrastructure. 

The environmentally friendly aspect is another advantage of drones. In a study done by Airpelago they showed that by using drones instead of helicopters that can lead to a reduction of 258 tonnes of CO2 annually.  

The Norfolk trial is part of four DFR trials across the country, the first led by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police at the Isle of Wight Festival where a simulated DFR capability was deployed alongside the force’s routine police drones resource. This will be replicated in further trials at a range of events throughout the summer. An additional trial is also in planning with West Midlands Police later in 2024.