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Police Trial Drones As First Responders

Monday, 21 September 2026 07:44

Norfolk Police is trialling drones to respond to some emergency calls, while insisting the technology will not replace frontline officers.

Norfolk Police says drones will not replace frontline officers as the force trials using the technology to respond to some emergency calls.

The five-week Drone as First Responder trial began earlier this month, with aircraft based in Norwich, Thetford, Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn.

Specially trained officers can remotely deploy the drones to provide live aerial footage of developing incidents, potentially giving police information before officers arrive at the scene.

They could be used to help locate missing people, track suspects, search large areas and assess potential risks during fast-moving incidents.

The national police lead for drone technology says the aircraft could sometimes be overhead within 60 to 90 seconds of a call.

However, police insist they are intended to support officers rather than replace them, with frontline resources still deployed whenever they are required.

Civil liberties group Big Brother Watch has raised concerns about privacy and the possibility of members of the public being filmed unnecessarily.

Norfolk Police says every deployment must have a legitimate policing purpose and will operate under existing legal and regulatory safeguards.

Footage required as evidence will be retained, while recordings which are not needed will normally be deleted after 28 days.

The trial will be reviewed after five weeks.

 

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