West Midlands Police flying high as PCC praises ‘vital’ Drone Unit

Описание: They are very much West Midlands Police’s eyes in the sky as the force’s Drone Unit continue to have a huge impact on policing day in, day out.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Simon Foster, joined officers in Birmingham to witness the high-spec mini aircrafts in use and to see their significance in helping teams on the ground.

After starting out with just one designated drone officer in 2017, West Midlands Police is now the only force in the entire country to have a 24/7, standalone Drone Unit consisting of 24 pilots, as well as a sergeant and an inspector.

From locating missing people, traffic pursuits, violent disorders, arrest warrants and the use of thermal cameras, the force’s Drone Unit has fast become an invaluable asset to help prevent and tackle crime, bring offenders to justice and safeguard victims of crime and vulnerable people.

In recent weeks, the Drone Unit has located multiple burglary suspects attempting to hide using thermal imagery, while officers also responded to reports of a firearm being switched between vehicles following a collision before making an arrest.

Elsewhere, officers continue to work with response teams and the force’s Dog Unit to track down offenders attempting to evade capture, while help is also at hand to locate people in distress.

The maximum height a drone can operate remains 400ft compared to National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopters’ 600ft.

Drones, though, which can cost between £3,000 and £30,000 depending on specification, are much more discreet, cost effective and versatile as officers can control drones from 500 metres away.

Recently, the PCC joined the Drones Unit to locate a rape suspect before checking in on a team operating a high-spec DJI Matrice 30T prior to Aston Villa’s Champions League encounter with Bologna.