The new Flying Squad
Police buy three £35,000 drones to patrol the skies
THEY search for missing people, track criminals on the run, survey traffic incidents and monitor festivals and football matches.
Now a squadron of hi-tech police drones will be joining Police Scotland’s air support unit.
Known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the machines are designed to withstand the most severe weather and have eight rotors to ensure they fly steadily for up to 35 minutes at a time.
The drones are equipped with both 30x zoom and thermal imaging cameras and can be fitted with a searchlight to scan ground in the dark, while a tannoy can be added to allow officers to communicate with people on the ground.
A drop box can also be attached, allowing the drones to deliver small items such as food, clothes or medical supplies.
It will be the first time UAVs – controlled from the ground via a tablet computer – have been used by police north of the Border.
Leeds-based technology firm Coptrz was awarded the £106,000 contract to design and build three weatherproof drones for the Scottish Police Authority, which is in charge of buying equipment for Police Scotland. Managing director Steve Coulson said: ‘The drones will be an excellent asset to Police Scotland and will complement their other aerial assets perfectly.’
Officers will attend training courses to obtain an official commercial drone pilot licence to fly the drones, which weigh around 20lb each. They can be folded to fit in the back of a police car but can fly over all terrains, from cities to snowy hills.
It is understood they will be stationed in Aberdeen and Inverness, while the force helicopter will remain in Glasgow.
‘Whereas it might take over an hour for the police helicopter to arrive, these can be up in the air within minutes and are cheaper to operate,’ said Coptrz spokesman Rob Warburton.
‘It is hoped they will be particularly useful searching for missing people at night and will hopefully save lives.’
Last summer Devon and Cornwall Police joined forces with Dorset Police to introduce Britain’s first permanent drone unit.
The Alliance Drone Unit leader Andy Hamilton said: ‘They have had a huge impact on the force. We can now provide our officers with an alternative to a police helicopter to capture any aerial videos or photos for their investigations.
‘Sometimes the inquiry could be too small to justify the expense of a helicopter or tying it up for a short deployment. The UAVs can offer more flexibility and better value for money. The drone is another eye in the sky for the police to use.
‘We have recently started working with the fire service, providing aerial assistance to large fires and incidents they are dealing with.
‘We have used the drone at preplanned incidents such as football matches, concerts and shows where again we have been able to provide an aerial overview.’
Speaking at a Scottish Police Authority meeting in Dundee last year, Deputy Chief Constable Johnny Gwynne said UAVs would normally be used for overt police work.
However, he added that they could also be used covertly to ‘save a life’.