Child is seriously injured by 4kg police drone when it crashed after hitting overhead cable: Watchdog launches investigation

Published: 21:36, 9 January 2026 | Updated: 23:14, 9 January 2026

A 4kg police drone came crashing to the ground and seriously injured a child after the officer failed to spot an overhead cable, an investigation has found.

The victim was left requiring medical treatment after sustaining an injury to their hand following the crash in Sheerness, Kent, in August.

Police had 'rapidly deployed' the DJI M30T drone to search for an assault suspect when the incident happened.

The drone was equipped with a thermal camera, as well as wide and zoom cameras when it fell onto the child from the sky at around 4pm on 2 August.

The incident marks the first time the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been called on to investigate a UK civilian injured by a police drone.

It is understood that a special inspector has been handed a misconduct note, while the IOPC continues to look into the matter.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) meanwhile carried out a 'record-only' probe based on information provided by the drone's pilot.

A spokesperson said: 'In this case, having reviewed the circumstances and available evidence, we concluded that a full investigation was unlikely to yield new safety findings that would benefit wider aviation safety.

'For this reason, a "record-only" investigation was conducted.'

A hefty police drone came crashing to the ground and seriously injured a child after the officer failed to spot an overhead cable, an investigation has found

The incident marks the first time the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been called on to investigate a UK civilian injured by a police drone. Pictured: Police investigate following the crash last August

The AAIB said the crash had occurred due to the police officer not noticing the overhead cable in the area.

'The cable hazard had not been identified during the rapid deployment,' it explained.

An IOPC spokesperson said: 'We can confirm we are independently investigating an incident where a child was hurt by a drone which crashed while being flown by Kent Police.

'It happened on 2 August when officers were responding to reports of a disturbance on the Isle of Sheppey.

'A drone was launched, hit an overhead cable and fell to the ground, hitting the child and seriously injuring their hand.

'As part of the ongoing investigation, we have served a misconduct notice on a special inspector.

'The serving of a notice does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will follow.'

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: '[Officers] responded just after 4pm on Saturday, 2 August 2025 to reports of an assault in progress on the Isle of Sheppey.

'As part of efforts to search the area for the suspect, a force drone was deployed.

'While in operation it struck an overhead cable and fell to the ground, hitting a child and injuring their hand.

They were treated for injuries at a London hospital.

'Kent Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who are now carrying out an independent investigation into the circumstances.'

References

^ FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER (www.dailymail.co.uk)