Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to update the Air Navigation Order 2016 to support the use of beyond-line-of-sight drones by police forces.

The are currently no plans to update the Air Navigation Order 2016 in relation to police drone operations because non-military state drone operations such as those undertaken by police forces and performed in the public interest are already exempt from the Basic Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1139). They still must adhere to some key provisions of the ANO to maintain aviation safety for other air users and the public.

The Future of Flight programme prioritises the early adoption of drones for the delivery of public services such as the police, health, and fire and rescue.