West Midlands Police are set to deploy drones to ensure the safety of those attending Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games, to be held between 28 July – 08 August 2022.
The Games take place over four different force areas and while WMP are the lead force they are working closely with partners in Warwickshire, Staffordshire and the Met in London.
While, WMP’s dedicated drone team will use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of its security operations at the Games there will be a no-fly zone in place for private operators following issues at football grounds in the area.
Chief superintendent, Steve Graham, one of WMP’s Silver Commandes for Birmingham 2022, said: “We will have a number of specialist functions available to us at the Games time. We are already using our force drones as part of the search operations at venues, but we will also use them during the Games for that birds eye view and to help with traffic operations and keeping the region moving.”
The use of UAVs will be combined with dogs, firearms, traffic and surveillance teams working across 15 venues and additional festival sites.
“Our whole operation is based on us working together as one – this includes colleagues from other forces, as well as our blue light services partners, such as fire and ambulance and British Transport Police, who will looking after everyone on the transport network,” Graham added.
“In order to continue our core policing duties outside of the Birmingham 2022 events, we will be bringing in over 2,000 additional officers from forces across the country so our communities will continue to be served by our officers.
“We have had teams embedded in Games venues for the past 18 months, including as part of the construction teams building the Sandwell Aquatics Centre and the Alexander Stadium. Our specialist search teams have been part of the security planning across all the venues that will be used at Games time. This will continue and increase as we get closer to July.”
