Bluesky International’s high-resolution aerial photography is playing a crucial role in decision-making, planning, and reporting at London’s Metropolitan Police Service.
Supplied as part of a multi-million-pound Government mapping contract, the Bluesky imagery is an integral layer in the Met Police’s newly relaunched Met Map, which is a lightweight, web-based Geographical Information System (GIS).
Met Map grants access to more than 8,000 users, providing base mapping, operational details, and crime data, including the Bluesky images. Applications of Met Map extend to crime analysis, enquiries and searches, specialist operations, and event planning.
The Met prioritizes data and advanced technologies such as Met Map in its long-term strategy to leverage information and insight and support evidence-based decisions to deter criminals and enhance public confidence.
Accessed by users throughout the organization, Met Map supports day-to-day decision-making, analysis, strategic planning, and reporting for applications including missing person searches, CCTV studies, accident investigations, and operational planning.
The Bluesky imagery, integrated with additional data and corporate layers, provides detailed and current information essential for granular analysis, offering currency, detail, and ease of use.
Bluesky International’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ralph Coleman, emphasized the importance of aerial photography, noting its wide application across professional and personal spaces, making it more accessible to non-technical staff, the public, and stakeholders.
Coleman added, “The additional detail is particularly vital for more granular analysis, as within the images you can clearly see important features like road markings, undergrowth information, and street furniture. The age of the imagery is also important, as we commit to a three-year, nationwide update program.”
The Metropolitan Police, being the largest police force in the UK, employs more than 34,000 officers, specialized staff, and volunteer police officers. The force is responsible for policing, counter-terrorism policing, and several specialist policing units in London.
The Bluesky data is supplied under the Aerial Photography Great Britain (APGB) contract, providing high-quality aerial data to local authorities, emergency services, environmental bodies, and central government departments free at point of use. Additionally, Bluesky offers 3D height models and Colour Infrared imagery under this contract as the lead consortium partner.