Notting Hill Carnival: Police to deploy dedicated drone team

Notting Hill Carnival: Police to deploy dedicated drone team

The British Transport Police (BTP) will introduce a dedicated drone team at the upcoming Notting Hill Carnival in efforts to enhance safety measures. This marks the first time drones will be used at the event, which is considered the largest street party in Europe and is expected to draw in around two million attendees. Equipped with four cameras, including a thermal imaging camera, the drones are capable of identifying individuals from a distance of up to 80m (260ft).

The drones will provide live feed to officers on the ground or back to the control room, allowing for enhanced situational awareness and faster response times. Additionally, the drones come equipped with a laser rangefinder that can tag objects up to over a kilometre away, providing GPS coordinates for precise location identification. These technological advancements are aimed at bolstering security measures and ensuring the safety of all carnival attendees.

According to Supt Dominique Ioannou, the new control room and drone technology will play a crucial role in monitoring the event and ensuring the well-being of all participants. With an extensive network of cameras plugged into the CCTV hub, law enforcement officials will have the resources needed to maintain a watchful eye on the carnival grounds. The use of high-quality cameras is instrumental in identifying individuals and apprehending offenders, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure event environment.

To address concerns about crowd safety, the Metropolitan Police will utilize live facial recognition technology at the carnival. While the technology has aided in over 1,000 arrests for serious crimes, civil rights organizations have raised concerns about potential racial bias in facial recognition algorithms. Notting Hill Carnival Ltd has implemented a large crowd management team and additional resources, including extra cameras and information screens, to ensure the safety and well-being of all carnival participants. Public transport users are advised to check for route closures or changes affecting Tube stations and bus diversions in the area, with Transport for London providing updated travel information on their dedicated website

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