- British police were Friday considering shooting down the drone that has grounded flights and caused chaos at London’s Gatwick Airport, with passengers set to face a third day of disruption.
Police said it was a “tactical option” after more than 50 sightings of the device near the airfield since Wednesday night when the runway was first closed.
Police and airport authorities believe the drone is being flown in a deliberate act to disrupt the airport at one of the busiest times of year, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded just days before Christmas.
On Thursday Britain called in the army to offer additional support to police as they hunt for those responsible.
“We will do what we can to take that drone out of the sky and remove that disruption so we can get Gatwick back to normal,” Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley said, despite earlier concerns that shooting the drone would be dangerous due to the danger of stray bullets.
“One of the options is to use firearms officers if that presents itself — they have been out on the ground today and that’s a consideration and a tactical option that’s open to us.”
He said he believed the drone had been modified with the “intent of causing disruption” and were looking through CCTV to identify the make and model.
The airport said late Thursday its only runway could not be reopened following further appearances of the drone.
“Gatwick’s runway remains unavailable because of continued drone sightings,” it said.
Specialist equipment has been deployed by the MOD (Ministry of Defence) to Gatwick airport to assist Sussex Police.
“We are there to assist and do everything we can,” Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told Sky News television, declining to give the troops’ exact role and adding that it followed a request from local police.
