Gatwick drone investigation costs almost double

In March of 2019, the BBC reported that the policing cost and investigation into flight disruptions at Gatwick in December 2018 had cost to date, £459,000.

Ian Hudson (@UAVHive) has been the king of submitting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to hold truth to power and he encouraged me to do the same back in June.

I have now had a response to that FOIA and it would seem the cost of policing has almost doubled. Sussex Police Freedom of Information Officer Roger Brace responded with a bottom line of £886,210

There is still absolutely no evidence of any RPAS being over the airfield or in the area. Other police forces were involved so I am sure the 1 million pound bubble has been burst.

Dear Gary,

I write with reference to your request regarding the following and apologise for the delay in responding to you.

Section 1 of the Freedom of information Act 2000 (FOIA) places two duties on public authorities.  Unless exemptions apply, the first duty at s1(1)(a) is to confirm or deny whether the information specified within a request is held.  The second duty at s1(1)(b) is to disclose information that has been confirmed as being held.  

1. What has been the cost to date to Sussex Police of investigating the December 2018 drone incident at Gatwick Aerodrome?

I can confirm the total cost to date is £886,210.

2. How many suspects were identified and of those how many have been interviewed?

2 people were arrested and interviewed but eliminated from our enquiries. No further arrests have been made

Yours sincerely,

Roger Brace

Freedom of Information Officer

See the FOIA request here