New drones will not replace force helicopter, says Sussex police chief

FOUR new crime-fighting drones have been bought by police to help fight crime across two counties.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Apr 2016, 06:06 BST

Sussex and Surrey forces have been using drones for the past two years – in missing person searches, protestor responses, airport security and crash scene investigations.

Surrey and Sussex Police have been awarded almost £250,000 to fund the high-security devices, Aeryon SkyRangers.

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They are capable of operating during daylight and after dark, in high wind and heavy rain, and can reach speeds of about 30mph.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Barry is head of Surrey and Sussex Police Operations.

He said: ‘I must stress drones are not a replacement for the NPAS police helicopter; they are complementary to it.’

He added: ‘Our project, operating five drones, is by far the largest in the UK.

‘There are a number of forces around the country that are commencing drone trials and the information from their trials will be incorporated into our report.’