The UK's four largest police departments are utilizing drones manufactured in China — even though security agencies had alerted them about possible espionage risks two years earlier.

The unmanned aerial vehicles manufactured by DJI Technology assist in monitoring activities and aid in investigation processes.

The Metropolitan Police , Greater Manchester Police Police Scotland and West Midlands Police continue to utilize DJI drones, as indicated by an analysis of publicly available documents conducted by The I Paper.

But in 2023, MI5 Issued guidelines discouraging the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) manufactured in nations practicing 'coercive data sharing.' This was interpreted as targeting China specifically.

Security personnel are concerned that sensitive imagery and information gathered by the drones might fall into the hands of Chinese authorities. As a result of purported connections to the Chinese military, the U.S. Department of Defense has placed DJI on its blacklist.

DJI has refuted claims that its drones send sensitive information to unauthorized entities, stating that their devices have undergone both independent and governmental security assessments confirming they are 'secure and safe.'

Earlier this week, it came to light that the Ministry of Defence has prohibited electric vehicles containing Chinese parts from entering military installations.

In 2023, it came to light that two-thirds of the drones used by UK police forces were manufactured by DJI. This discovery triggered a governmental review panel headed by ex-Security Minister Tom Tugendhat to examine these agreements.

A branch of MI5 subsequently alerted organizations about certain commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and related software being manufactured "in nations known for imposing mandatory data-sharing policies which might result in the exposure of confidential information."

Luke De Pulford, who serves as the executive director of the inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, stated to the i: "It is crucial for the government to take action in safeguarding sensitive United Kingdom data."

A representative from Police Scotland stated: "We have taken notice of the concerns presented by the National Protective Security Authority and are continuing to collaborate with the Scottish Government."

Other law enforcement agencies were reached out to for their comments by the i.

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