Police use drones to track bike criminals and illegal riding

Police and bike thieves take the battle to the skies

Police in England, Wales and Scotland have reported seeing drones in the air when they have been recovering stolen property – including motorbikes. It is believed the unmanned aircraft are being used to check there are no officers in attendance or surveillance nearby before the thieves return to recover stashed vehicles.

In one recent instance, Essex Police were able to locate a drone pilot near to the location of a stolen digger. The drone equipment was impounded before officers discovered that the vehicle the pilot was using had also been stolen.

But it’s not only the bad guys who have been taking to the air.

Police in Nottinghamshire have made use of drone technology combined with off-road bike teams on the ground to tackle illegal off roading in the county. The eye in the sky was deployed in the Watnall area as part of an operation that resulted in two warnings being issued and more operations are in the pipeline according to offficers. “We have more dates planned for the future to tackle this type of activity which we know is causing a lot of misery within our local communities,” said Alison Bryan, Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant for Broxtowe North. “With the lighter nights and better weather we have seen an increase in reports in relation to people using off-road vehicles who show little or no regard for the laws of the road, the damage they cause or the threat they pose to members of the public in this popular walking area. “Nottinghamshire Police has seized and crushed bikes as part of previous off-road biking operations, including vehicles being ridden illegally in the Watnall area.

“We hope this sends out a clear message that once we’ve identified offenders we will utilise all of our powers to take action which could ultimately end up with their bikes being crushed,” concluded Sgt Bryan.

‘We will utilise all our powers to take action’ SGT ALISON BRYAN