The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Crime fighting takes to the skies
Police using drones to track criminals and trace missing people
Police will be taking the fight against crime to the skies as they use the latest technology to track crooks. Drones are the latest in new technology to join the frontline of policing in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire following a successful trial of the unmanned eyes-in-the-sky.
The tri-force policing alliance has carried out a ninemonth trial and trained officers in the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs).
Since June four UAVs – commonly known as drones – have been used operationally.
It is hoped they will also provide cost savings, by reducing the nead to launch the police helicopter.
Inspector Mark Farrant said the new kit would be of great benefit to officers.
He said :“Exploring the efficiencies of new technology is key to helping us face the challenges of modern policing.
“Not only can these state of the art drones help us to achieve savings where the police helicopter could otherwise be deployed, the drones give us greater scope to capture evidence in real time, supporting our ultimate aim of protecting the public and fighting crime.
“Following the trial in which the devices assisted at the scenes of collisions and in police training, we anticipate this new resource contributing hugely to the work of the three forces – not to mention the obvious benefits to officer and public safety.”
The drones can be used to support operations and investigations, and to help ensure the safety of the public.
The devices, which have the ability to capture highdefinition video and take highresolution photographs, can assist in the search for missing people, document crime scenes and chemical incidents, and support fatal and serious collision investigations.
Across the three forces a total of 16 pilots have been trained from departments including Roads Policing and Armed Policing.