Drone threat concerns as 25 spotted over nuclear facilities

A recent disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) has brought to light a worrying series of drone sightings at British nuclear facilities.

Upon submitting the request, my primary aim was to gather aggregate data on what kind of incidents have been reported from 2021 to so far in 2023. Recognising the importance of security in such matters, the request centred on broad counts and categories, deliberately bypassing detailed or sensitive specifics.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get all the information I needed. I was told, “Due to a technical issue, we cannot currently search our system before August 2021”. Over the course of two years, from 2021 to 2023, the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) logged a total of 25 incidents involving drones near these highly sensitive sites.

The data, constrained by technical issues preventing access to records before August 2021, includes a range of episodes from alarm activations and direct sightings to authorised drone flights.

August 2021 – December 2021

Within this window, ten drone-related episodes were recorded. These varied from alarm activations and straightforward sightings to instances of authorised drone flights.

1. Drone alarm activation, pilot located and given words of advice.
2. Notification of drone flight.
3. Report of drone, area search carried out, no trace of drone or pilot.
4. Report of drone over, area search, no trace, alarm not activated.
5. Drone alarm activation, area searched no trace. Crime report submitted.
6. Drone alarm activation, system error.
7. Officer reports seeing a drone, pilot located and spoken to, it was an accident, no footage of site obtained.
8. Drone alarm activation, search carried out, nothing found.
9. Drone reported, area searched, pilot located, authorised flight local Police.
10. Notification of authorised drone flight.

Entirety of 2022

The year saw nine incidents. This included a mix of potential drone sightings, sanctioned events, and even drones detected at significant altitudes by pilots – one as high as 20,000 feet.

1. Report of possible drone sighting. Search carried out, nothing found.
2. Report of drone, search carried out, Officers found out it was a pre- planned event.
3. Report of drone flying, area search carried out, nothing found.
4. Drone reported to be flying, Officers carried out area search, no trace.
5. Report of drone flying. Area search carried out, no trace.
6. Small drone system activated, showing small drone. Officers attended, no trace.
7. Report of drone flying, Officers conducted area search, operator located. Spoken to by Officers, who viewed footage from drone, operator voluntarily deleted all footage.
8. Report from pilot of drone at 20,000 feet. Nothing seen from the ground, area search carried out for operator, no trace.
9. Report of drone flying, area search carried out by officer, no trace.

January – August 2023

During this period, there were six documented drone events. Most were routine sightings followed by unsuccessful area searches. One, however, was a pre-arranged authorised drone flight.

1. Drone seen flying. Area search carried out; Pilot not found.
2. Drone seen flying, area search carried out, no trace.
3. Drone reported, area search carried out, no trace.
4. Drone reported, area search carried out, no trace.
5. Pre planned authorised drone flight.
6. Drone alarm activated, although alarm activated, drone didn’t enter protected area.

What are UK nuclear sites in this context?

In the context of the UK, nuclear sites generally refer to a range of facilities associated with the nuclear energy industry and defence establishments. These can include:

• Nuclear Power Stations: These are plants where nuclear energy is converted into electricity. Examples include Hinkley Point, Sizewell, and Dungeness.
• Nuclear Research Facilities: These are centres where nuclear research takes place, such as the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy or the Dalton Nuclear Institute.
• Nuclear Reprocessing Plants: Sellafield in Cumbria is a prime example, where nuclear fuel is reprocessed.
• Nuclear Submarine Bases: The UK operates a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, and these vessels are based at certain naval docks, notably HM Naval Base Clyde (sometimes referred to as Faslane).
• Defence Establishments: Some sites are associated with the development or storage of nuclear weapons, such as the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield.
• Nuclear Waste Storage and Disposal Sites: Locations where nuclear waste is stored, treated, or disposed of.
• Decommissioned Nuclear Sites: Former nuclear facilities which are no longer operational but might still have nuclear materials or be under decommissioning.

The MDP, citing national security, defence, and law enforcement reasons, has opted to withhold specific details regarding the locations and intricate descriptions of these sightings.

This series of incidents gains additional context from a report I found that was presented by the MDP to a local council near HM Naval Base Clyde (Faslane), a major nuclear submarine base. The report highlighted HMNB Clyde as a ‘NO DRONE ZONE’ and outlined the growing threat of drone incursion, which the MDP aims to address.

The public is encouraged to report any drone sightings, providing details such as time, location, description, direction of travel, and information about the operator.

This situation raises significant security concerns at UK nuclear sites, including power stations, research facilities, reprocessing plants, submarine bases, and defence establishments. These sites are vital for the nation’s energy supply and security.

The motives behind these drone flights range from simple curiosity to potential reconnaissance.

The MDP, however, along with other security agencies, remains vigilant in monitoring and responding to these incidents from what I am able to gather, ensuring the safety and integrity of the UK’s nuclear infrastructure.