Drones Take to the Skies in Crime Crackdown
Since launching in January 2020, Nottinghamshire Police’s drone team has soared into action more than 1,100 times, racking up around 550 hours of flight time. These high-tech aerial units have become game-changers in the fight against crime and public safety.
High-Tech Eyes Catch Crooks in the Act
Armed with cutting-edge cameras and thermal imaging, the drone squad has tracked down suspects 43 times. Highlights include:
- Two vandals hiding out in a garden
- A wanted man tucked away inside a caravan
- Three thieves caught lurking in woodland
- A suspected drink-driver found skulking in a bush at night
They didn’t stop there. Over the past year, drones helped recover 10 stolen cars, proving their value to investigations across the county.
Saving Lives from Above
Drones don’t just catch criminals – they’re lifesavers. The team’s quick aerial searches have located 12 missing people in just 12 months. In August, they found a vulnerable teenager by a lake in Bingham, safely returning him home. Their ability to cover large areas fast makes them a vital tool in emergencies.
Nottinghamshire’s drone pilots also lend a hand to the fire service, helping track and fight fires more efficiently than ever before.
Top Cop: Drones Are Policing’s Future
Led by Chief Drone Pilot Sergeant Vince Saunders, the unit includes 14 trained pilots juggling drone flights alongside regular duties. Their fleet grew in April with two smaller thermal imaging drones, boosting capabilities even more.
“Drone technology is slowly but surely changing the world around us,” said Sgt Saunders. “From farming to filmmaking, new uses pop up all the time – and policing is no different.”
“We’ve always had helicopters and fixed-wing planes, but they’re costly and shared across forces. Our drones offer a cheap, ready-to-go option that gives us a three-dimensional view of any situation.
“Suspects have nowhere to hide, and missing persons’ lives have been saved thanks to drone deployments. The most exciting thing? The technology keeps evolving, opening more ways to use it.”
