Lincolnshire Police drones have been deployed over 1300 times last year, that’s just over three deployments every day. Some of those deployments were for the following reasons:
- 294 searches for missing people
- 314 searches for suspects
- 138 live downlinks provided for operational commanders
- 81 firearms deployments supported
- 67 cannabis farms disrupted
- 46 events and operations
- 24 serious or fatal collision scenes
- 22 internal searches of buildings before officers entered
With just 28 trained officers to cover the county every day and night throughout the year the results show how dedicated and determined our drone pilots are to provide an operational and responsive tactic to support policing in Lincolnshire. Operating a drone is an additional skill to an officers’ usual duties; it is not a full-time role.
There can be no doubt that our drone pilots have successfully used their drones to safeguard vulnerable people, in many cases saving lives, detaining offenders, ensuring safeguarding and swift justice for victims of crime.
The benefits of our drones continue to be realised. Drones now routinely obtain complex evidential footage for major incidents, with an increasing demand following homicide and fatal collision investigations. The benefits to senior investigating officers are being revealed and include the extensive detail and different views that are available through this technology.
With their ever-expanding experience, our drone pilots are being used more than ever before. It should be recognised the positive contributions our drones make does not always need to end with a tangible result. While often our drones may not find anyone or anything in a search area, the fact they have quickly cleared an area allowing officers to focus elsewhere, saves hundreds of valuable officer hours.
Superintendent Pat Coates, Specialist Operations, said: “The leadership and coordination shown by our Chief Drone Pilot, Kev Taylor, means we now have a valuable tactical resource readily available to Commanders and Investigators 365 days a year. In addition, with our drone pilots going above and beyond to support operational policing with their drone skills, they are able to quickly locate missing people, suspects or evidence.
Traditionally we would rely on officers on foot to search large areas which would take hours and hours; we don’t have officers available for this often lifesaving work. Drone technology has developed at pace, and drones now play a vital role providing air support alongside NPAS helicopters which are a shared resource. Many of our deployments can now be achieved using drones which are flexible and offer really good value for money.
“With the huge increase in the use of drone technology we have experienced in the last few years, I’m delighted to welcome our new deputy Chief Drone Pilot Ian Steedman into the force. This is a vital and key role and will mean we can continue to support and increase this tactical option and maintain the skills and training of our pilots need to achieve and that our equipment is maintained and operated to the high standards that are required.”
To see the work of the team follow them @LincsCOPter
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