Police are to embark on a six-month trial of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones, in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset to aid officers in a number of policing matters including missing people searches and crime scene photography.

Starting on the 2nd of November, police in Devon and Cornwall will be able to call upon the services of two DJI Inspire 1 Drones which are equipped with high definition (HD) cameras which can capture both video and still images.

Dorset are currently undertaking final preparations and will be trialling in their area from 26th November.

Inspector Andy Hamilton who is heading up the trial said: “Drones offer many benefits that complement the National Police Air Service (NPAS) Helicopter. This technology offers a highly cost effective approach to missing person searches, crime scene photography, and responding to major road traffic collisions.

“Using a drone to capture footage on difficult terrain and hard to reach areas such as cliffs, woodland or the moors to find a missing person, combat wildlife crime or even a firearm incident, will allow officers to gain vital information, quickly, safely, and allow us to respond effectively at the scene.”

Civil Aviation (CAA) regulations state that drone operators must pass a national CAA accredited qualification. Currently the Force has three trained operators in place for the trial, including Inspector Hamilton, and there are plans to train further officers should the trial prove to be a success.

Insp Hamilton added: “This technology still has its limitations; the models we are trialling are currently unable to fly at night or in adverse weather, but having the option to put a drone in the air in a few minutes’ notice could help save lives.

“Both drones have a HD downlink which means officers on the ground can see live footage captured by the drone in the air. It can stay in the air for up to 18 minutes at a time before returning to the operator to change batteries. Each drone has several batteries and therefore can be kept operational for a prolonged period of time if required.”

A new twitter account has been created @DC_PoliceDrones which will keep the public informed about where and when the drone is in operational use within Devon and Cornwall, as well as sharing operational footage and images of the drone in action.

From the 2nd November one drone will be based in Exeter and the other in Plymouth.

Details surrounding Dorset’s drone will be confirmed later in November.