Fighting drone risks with drone dragnets

Risk managers worried about drones being used against their companies for industrial espionage or other nefarious purposes might consider the “it takes a thief to catch a thief” strategy being planned by the Tokyo police department.

According to news reports, the department plans to use drones to capture other drones. A “net-wielding interceptor” drone will reportedly be used to hunt down and snare rogue drones.

The interceptor drone carries a 3-meter-by-2-meter net that will take to the sky after an unlawful drone has been spotted, according to one report. Police officers on the ground will use loudspeakers in an attempt to warn the drone's controller to leave the area.

This follows the uproar that occurred earlier this year when a man landed a drone on the Japanese prime minister's residence that contained a small amount of radioactive sand, which was reportedly a protest against the government's nuclear energy policies.

According to reports, a single drone will be used at first on a trial basis this month, while a more comprehensive operation will be introduced in February with drone squads providing protection for important buildings including the prime minister's office.