Police Drones Snare Suspects and Save Lives Across Nottinghamshire
Drones Take Crime Hunting To New Heights
Since launching in January 2020, Nottinghamshire Police’s elite drone team has soared into action over 1,100 times, logging around 550 hours of flight time. Armed with high-powered cameras and thermal imaging, the drones have tracked down criminals 43 times. From suspected vandals hiding in back gardens to thieves lurking in woodland, police drones have left no stone unturned.
Crackdown Highlights: Crooks Caught Hiding in Bushes and Caravans
- Two vandals found skulking in a back garden
- A wanted man hiding inside a caravan
- Three suspected thieves caught in woodland
- A suspected drink-driver nabbed hiding in a bush during the dead of night
Saving Lives and Recovering Stolen Vehicles
The drones don’t just catch crooks. They’ve found 12 missing people in just one year. A vulnerable teen lost near a Bingham lake was rescued by drone-guided police in August. Meanwhile, 10 stolen vehicles were tracked down thanks to the team’s watchful eyes in the sky.
Firefighting and Future Tech
Nottinghamshire’s drone squad also supports the Fire and Rescue Service, helping tackle and monitor fires more effectively than ever.
The team boasts 14 expert drone pilots juggling flying skills with regular police duties. They operate six drones, including two new compact models with advanced thermal imaging introduced in April.
Chief Drone Pilot Talks Tech Revolution
“Drone technology is slowly but surely changing the world around us. From farming to filmmaking, new applications for these small and inexpensive aircraft are being developed all the time – and the same is true in policing. “We’ve had helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for years, but these are costly and shared across forces. Our drones provide a cheap, ready-to-go option offering detailed, 3D views of any situation. Suspects can’t run or hide, and missing people’s lives are being saved by drone deployment. “What’s truly exciting is that this tech keeps evolving, giving us new ways to use it.” — Sergeant Vince Saunders, Chief Drone Pilot, Nottinghamshire Police
