West Mercia Police to trial drones in crime fight

West Mercia Police is to undertake a three-month pilot using the small unmanned aircraft (SUA) starting at the end of this month.

The drones could also be used to gather evidence at the scene of road accidents and to maintain public safety at big events, marches and demonstrations in the county.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nav Malik, of West Mercia Police, said: "They will be used in a number of ways, primarily to look for people who are vulnerable or missing, so children or vulnerable adults in localities where we can't reach as fast.

"We will also use them in road traffic collisions whereby the accident is in a scene where we can't access quickly, or at a complex accident scene where we can visually record the position of vehicles from up high.

"But also we will be using them to look for suspects where we can, as well as at public events, demos and marches.

"The trials will be across all seven policing areas of Warwickshire and West Mercia.

"Clearly, people will potentially be complaining about the privacy issue and we are very much in tune with that.

"We will be using it in a very overt manner, but clearly when we do use it as part of an investigation we will be using the appropriate legislation around it.

"At the time of the trial we will be looking to communicate with the public to make it very clear why we are using these devices and how we are. To be fair we will need to use them initially sparingly in terms of managing the most vulnerable incidents, high-risk incidents if you will."

"But clearly in terms of public events, where we want to make sure we keep people safe, that preventative role, then they will be visible I am sure."

West Mercia Police spokeswoman Holly Claydon-Bevan said chief officers of the force had confirmed that a pilot of SUA would be taking place.

She added: "The Trust Integrity and Ethics Committee will agree principles around the oversight and governance of the pilot.

"Appropriate approval of the policy is currently being agreed via the Civil Aviation Authority.

"The Trust Integrity and Ethics Committee will ensure governance in respect of how the SUA is used. The main principle of usage will be linked to issues to such as missing persons and other key issues facing policing activities.The pilot will start from October 29.