Drones to help fight crime in Cumbria

Drones will not be deployed against seagulls in Cumbria any time soon, either to monitor them or to spray their eggs, but they are being deployed against criminals.

Earlier this year, staff from Cumbria Constabulary's operational support unit bought two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to assess the benefits of using them for policing.

Officers revealed yesterday that rigorous testing has taken place and they have already been used in a number of missing person searches to "great effect". They insisted the drones will NOT replace officer patrols.


















Picture above: Police Camera drone similar (but not identical) to those deployed in Cumbria

Chief Inspector Matt Kennerley, from Cumbria police operational support unit, said:

“The benefit of using UAVs to assist police operations has already been proven in other police force areas and we believe this is going to be an innovative and cost-effective resource that will enable officers to save lives and tackle criminal activity.

“The UAVs will help collect evidence and monitor events from a distance which would help us detect crime and prosecute offenders. 

"The UAVs can also be deployed into situations where deploying patrols would put members of the public or officers themselves at risk.

“Previously, the only way officers in Cumbria could gain aerial assistance was to call out a police helicopter from the National Police Air Service. 

"This would not only be a costly resource for the force, but it can also be time-consuming. The use of the UAVs, however, provides a solution to this problem.

“UAVs will only be deployed when required and they will not replace patrols. They are an effective resource that provides police with an efficient air advantage.”

The officers will be using the equipment in line with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations.

Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes said: “The way that we police is changing and it is good to see the constabulary embracing technology with the UAVs.”

More information, including details of a competition to nominate call signs for the drones, at

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/News/Barrow/Air-force-drone-joins-Cumbria-police-as-crime-fight-takes-to-the-skies-31b38320-0389-4c44-91b1-141c614990de-ds

Comments

Jim said…
"yes its great, not only do we get to play with these things, we also get paid for doing it."

Its actually not only a help with the seagull population its also a great recruitment tool for the police, lets face it, you would love a go with it, wouldn't you?
4:50 pm
Chris Whiteside said…
I suspect you may well have a point ...
10:56 pm
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