Police drones play 'key role' preventing football disorder
A £2m pilot between police and the Premier League in the West Midlands is ensuring crowd safety.
Police drones are proving invaluable in preventing disorder at Premier League football matches in the West Midlands, according to a £2 million pilot project. The drones, operated by PCs Matt Lackie and George Howell, provide police with a greater view of the surrounding areas to ensure crowd safety. The project, in partnership with West Midlands Police, has been deployed at Aston Villa, Coventry City, and Wolverhampton Wanderers' stadiums.
PCs Lackie and Howell launched a drone over Coventry City's CBS Arena before the match against Brighton & Hove Albion, which saw a 5-0 victory for Coventry but remained peaceful with no trouble. Inspector Tom Hanna, the Bronze commander for the match, praised the drones' role in providing detailed insights and preventing potential safety and crime issues.
The Premier League's Claire Sumner highlighted the importance of drones in crowd safety and strengthening the partnership between policing, clubs, and stewards. The pilot project is expected to continue until the end of the current Premier League season.
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