A Northampton graduate has launched what could be the world's only anti-drone security company - offering products such as a firing net to capture nuisance flying machines. Former army officer Richard Gill, completed his University of Northampton masters degree in business administration earlier this year via distance learning. But he has now set up Drone Defence, a firm aiming to protect people, places and public events from the misuse of the aerial crafts. Sales of the unmanned flying devices have dramatically increased over the past two years - but this has led to a three-fold increase in drone-related incidents being reported to the police. Now Mr Gill's firm is offering clients comprehensive "drone-related" security advice, to prevent them from being bothered by unwanted crafts - as well as products including a "drone jammer" and a "net firing device." Possible clients include prisons and airports. Mr Gill said: “After seeing reports of drones being used irresponsibly near airports and flying drugs into prisons I thought that I should do something about it. "After working in the commercial UAV (drone) sector for the last two years I thought I would bring that knowledge together with my previous experience and launch a business to help organisations protect themselves from unwanted drones.” Mr Gill's firm is offering clients a drone guarding service, which can be used to protect sporting events and concerts. The company will deploy security specialists to attend an event and keep it free of the flying nuisances. Drone Defence also has products for sale, such as the Net Gun X1, a CO2 powered net-firing device that is designed to capture drones at short range. The Dynopis E1000MP jams a drone's control frequency, making it returns to its operator. Mr Gill's former business lecturer, Dr Mils Hills, believes Drone Defence could be a big success. He said: "Rick and his team are providing a cutting-edge portfolio of security solutions for a challenge that is only going to become more prevalent and where operators like Drone Defence will set the benchmark for quality and effectiveness."
Drone Defence, set up by former Army officer Richard Gill, has built a CO2-powered Net Gun X1 to capture drones. The company also offers drone jammer Dynopis E1000MP alongside drone-related security advice. Possible customers include prisons and airports, as well as sporting-event managers and concert organisers.