Technology - Supporting National Security

Police forces across the UK had been quick to acquire drones to enhance policing outcomes. This had led to an inconsistent adoption of this rapidly evolving technological capability. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) wanted to enhance and standardise the use of drones across UK policing, ensuring forces could maximise the operational benefits ofUnmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The challenge was to develop a coordinated national strategy that aligned with legislative and regulatory requirements; evolving technology; and best practices while addressing safety management, training, governance, and procurement inconsistencies across all 43 forces in England and Wales.

Concerto was engaged to provide strategic consultancy, working closely with NPCC and key stakeholders to develop anational framework for drone acquisition, deployment and integration. Ourapproach involved: 

• Conducting a comprehensive review of existingdrone capabilities across UK police forces. 
• Engaging with frontline officers, droneoperators, and command teams to assess operational needs. 
• Designing a structured governance model tosupport compliance, where applicable, with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)regulations and data security protocols. 
• Creating standardised training, operationalguidelines and continuing professional development to ensure consistency acrossforces. 
• Implementing an Air Safety Management Plan(ASMP) 
• Supporting procurement strategies to optimisevalue, operational effectiveness and interoperability. 
• Establishing a national platform forcollaboration and knowledge sharing among police drone operators. 

• Authorised Professional Practice (APP) – Drafted in the approved format following rigorousUK-wide consultation, facilitating its smooth passage through the College ofPolicing’s publication process. 
• Police DroneStandards (PDS) – Created comprehensive guidance on all aspects of police droneoperations, standardising best practices across UK forces and influencing otherState aircraft operators. 
• SafetyEnhancements – Implemented an Air Safety Management Plan, including an auditand assurance process, a Safety Review Board, and a structured safety bulletinprocess. Established improved occurrence reporting and Just Culture principles,strengthening accountability among police drone operators. 
• National Drone Database – Developed an online national database to track assets, personnel, activities, and outcomes from police drone operations across the UK, accessible by all forces and updated monthly. 
• OperationalApproval Efficiencies – Drafted a national operating safety case (OSC)template, reducing the administrative burden and cost for forces, shifting fromcivil regulations to freedoms permitted by operations undertaken in the publicinterest by or on behalf of a body vested with the powers of a publicauthority.  
• Improved Communication – Developed and implemented a comprehensive engagement and communications plan, including a monthly police drone bulletin, an NPCC Drones webpage, media events, and three national drone conferences to share insights and progress. 
• Increased Valuefor Money – Introduced a ‘first-of-its-kind’ value tool to enableevidence-based decision-making, optimising aviation support and ensuringcost-effectiveness across UK forces. 
• StrongerCollaboration – Established thematic working groups, fostering a unifiedapproach, shared sense of purpose, and greater professionalism among policedrone operators, breaking down previous operational silos. 
• Testing andTrialling New Capabilities – Initiated and managed a test and trials programmeacross multiple sites for drone as a first responder (DFR) using a variety ofdrone-in-a-box products and system integration technologies. 

Concerto’s expertise in programme delivery and strategic consultancy enabled NPCC to begin the journey of creating a unified, effective approach to drone utilisation throughout UK policing, enhancing safety, efficiency, and collaboration nationwide.