The Capital Transport Police’s Special Operations Unit recently held a press conference on the 30th November 2023 in order to update on the plane that recently crashed on the Thames near Purfleet RSPB Reserve.

The recent updates are key to understanding this story, one representative stated that the drone fragments ‘matched’ with experimental ones used by the British Military, though this was ‘not significant’ as the parts were also sold to other customers. The military is also key in assisting with the criminal investigation into the crash.

What is important to the story, and has been revealed is that IED’s (explosive devices) have been found in both Essex and Thamesmead, sparking rumours that the operators were on Gallion’s Hill which is south of the Thames. This has drawn calls from the police for anyone in the aforementioned areas to report anything suspicious seen to the SOU.

A considerable update comes into this story as there can also be speculation into who the perpetrators are. Warnings from a group who stand against flight paths in the natural areas of beauty in Essex and Kent, the ‘Mersea Pathfinders’ may point to their involvement in the issue, and while the police stated the group is ‘notorious’ their involvement has not been confirmed at this time. Furthermore, two people have been arrested due to possession of explosives and a third questioned on possessing software able to interfere with aircraft, though, again, then identities of the three have not been confirmed by police.

There has been some level of confirmation of details from the police, such as the parts used to build the IED’s being purchased in Essex, and that the devices themselves were ‘rudimentary’ which hints to the operation being low level, this is further seen as the IED’s had been crafted with ‘glue’ and ‘duct tape’.

Finally, there are now measures being put into place in the affected areas to curb this issue happening again, these being drone-alert security systems, and ‘expanding security measures’ used in commercial airports. These measures are being implemented by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.