Police Drone Buzzes Over Mansfield School
A drone from Nottinghamshire Police took to the skies at Mansfield’s Wainwright Primary Academy on Friday morning, thrilling pupils and staff alike.
PC Henson Shows Off High-Flying Tech
PC Paul Henson, one of nearly 20 officers trained to pilot police drones, flew a lightweight drone high above the school playing field. From this bird’s-eye view, he snapped photos of pupils arranged to form the school’s initials. Afterwards, PC Henson sat down with the school’s Mini Police squad for a lively Q&A session.
“I really enjoy these kinds of visits,” said PC Henson. “It’s a very rewarding aspect of the job. I was delighted to help the school with their aerial photo idea. The kids asked some brilliant questions about our work.”
Drones Help Find Missing People and Criminals
PC Henson explained how police drones are often deployed to locate missing persons and track down suspects. These visits aim to introduce children to the police early on, breaking down barriers and inspiring the next generation.
“This is significant because these children are the future police officers. If we can inspire and interest them in our work, that’s a win for everyone,” he added.
Mini Police Programme Builds Community Trust
The Nottinghamshire Mini Police scheme teaches young children about safety, community roles, and policing. Officers regularly visit Wainwright Primary Academy as part of the programme to share their experiences.
Julia Hallam of Wainwright Primary said: “We were honoured by this visit. It was fantastic to get the whole academy involved. Seeing the kids’ faces as the drone flew overhead was priceless — especially hearing one of our youngest say, ‘the drone was amazing.’”
We thank Nottinghamshire Police for this visit and all their support. The Mini Police initiative has truly helped change children’s views of the police for the better.”
