BTP expands drone capability in Scotland

British Transport Police (BTP) are introducing their own drone technology to Scotland’s railways to improve safety, reduce disruption and respond more quickly to incidents.

BTP’s two drones are carried in BTP cars based in Edinburgh and Glasgow and are piloted by trained officers - allowing us, and partners, to get eyes on incidents faster and better manage disruption as it unfolds, continuing our commitment to reducing disruption using innovative technology.

In addition to this, Network Rail has installed a beyond visual line of sight drone near Glasgow Central, which can be deployed and flown remotely from the railway’s control room to support incident response. It aims to provide faster situational awareness, improved incident management, and reduce the risk of disruption for passengers.

Chief Superintendent Lorna McEwan said: “We’re very pleased to introduce this technology to Scotland, which was launched in February 2026. In an area that faces significant disruption, the drones will help us focus on disruption hotspots, providing early situational awareness to support officers on the ground and informing decision-making at live incidents including trespass, concerns for welfare, cable thefts and more.

“Having seen the positive impact of our drones programme in other areas we’re confident that we’ll see a positive impact from deployments in Scotland. We’ve already seen 33 flights targeting live incidents and high-risk locations, one of which resulted in three people found trackside. By utilising the drone’s speaker system, those involved were asked to leave the area, which they did and were subsequently spoken to by officers. Many flights result in the team being able to confirm the line is clear from any persons or items on the line, so the railway can reopen and return to normal as quickly as possible.”

Leigh Gribbon, route performance improvement manager at Network Rail Scotland, added: “Glasgow Central is one of the most vital transport hubs in Scotland, connecting thousands of passengers every day and playing a key role in keeping people moving. As recent incidents in the surrounding area have shown, the ability to respond quickly and effectively is absolutely critical.

“By introducing a remotely operated drone here, we’re giving our teams faster access to real-time information, improving safety, and helping us assess situations. Whether it’s supporting incident response, monitoring infrastructure, or working alongside the emergency services, this technology will help us keep the railway running safely and resiliently.”