A major investigation has concluded that a heavy police drone seriously injured a child after its operator failed to see an overhead power cable during a rapid deployment.
Details of the Sheerness Drone Incident
The incident occurred in Sheerness, on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, on Saturday, 2 August 2025, at around 4pm. Kent Police officers had been responding to reports of an assault in progress. In their search for a suspect, they rapidly deployed a DJI M30T drone, a substantial piece of equipment weighing 4kg (9lb) and fitted with thermal, wide, and zoom cameras.
During the flight, the drone collided with an overhead cable that the pilot had not identified. It subsequently fell from the sky, striking a child below. The victim sustained a serious injury to their hand and required medical treatment at a London hospital.
Unprecedented Investigations Launched
This event marks a significant first in UK policing. It is the initial case where the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been called to investigate a civilian injured by a police drone. The police force made a mandatory referral to the watchdog.
An IOPC spokesperson confirmed an independent investigation is underway. As part of this process, a misconduct notice has been served on a special inspector. The IOPC emphasised that serving such a notice does not automatically mean disciplinary proceedings will follow.
Concurrently, the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) conducted a record-only investigation based on information from the drone's pilot. An AAIB spokesperson stated that after reviewing the circumstances, they concluded a full investigation was unlikely to yield new safety findings beneficial to wider aviation safety.
Official Statements and Safety Implications
The AAIB's report pinpointed the cause, stating: 'The cable hazard had not been identified during the rapid deployment.' This highlights a critical risk in the fast-paced use of drone technology by emergency services.
A spokesperson for Kent Police expressed the sequence of events: 'While in operation it struck an overhead cable and fell to the ground, hitting a child and injuring their hand.' The force has fully cooperated with the IOPC's ongoing independent investigation.
The case raises urgent questions about operational protocols, pilot training, and risk assessments for drone deployments in built-up or cluttered environments, especially during urgent responses.
