savantuk
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Big brother is really watching now
A suspected car thief who hid from police in thick undergrowth became the first arrest made by a remote-controlled, heat-seeking hover drone.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) - a four-rotor flying camera, operated by a police officer on the ground - spotted the 16-year-old suspect from 300ft away.
Its thermal imaging technology located the teenager on a dark night and pinpointed his hiding place.
The UAV has a top speed of 30mph with a ceiling of 400ft and comes with flashing police lights.
Merseyside Police, who took delivery of this hi-tech tool in November, reckons it can be used from serious firearms incidents and hostage situations to monitoring large public events and football matches. At £40,000 each, are far cheaper to use for small-scale operations than a conventional helicopter.
Chief Inspector Nick Gunatilleke, from the Anti-social Behaviour Taskforce, said: "We are the only police force in the country currently using a UAV like this, and this is the first time the thermal imaging equipment has led directly to an arrest since the UAV went live in November so we are very pleased.
"It also has a wealth of other technology on board and we will use it whenever we can to support other resources such as the force helicopter and dog patrols in dealing with incidents when they arise."
The incident happened in the Bootle area of Liverpool on January 26. A second 20-year-old man was also arrested, and both have since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
A suspected car thief who hid from police in thick undergrowth became the first arrest made by a remote-controlled, heat-seeking hover drone.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) - a four-rotor flying camera, operated by a police officer on the ground - spotted the 16-year-old suspect from 300ft away.
Its thermal imaging technology located the teenager on a dark night and pinpointed his hiding place.
The UAV has a top speed of 30mph with a ceiling of 400ft and comes with flashing police lights.
Merseyside Police, who took delivery of this hi-tech tool in November, reckons it can be used from serious firearms incidents and hostage situations to monitoring large public events and football matches. At £40,000 each, are far cheaper to use for small-scale operations than a conventional helicopter.
Chief Inspector Nick Gunatilleke, from the Anti-social Behaviour Taskforce, said: "We are the only police force in the country currently using a UAV like this, and this is the first time the thermal imaging equipment has led directly to an arrest since the UAV went live in November so we are very pleased.
"It also has a wealth of other technology on board and we will use it whenever we can to support other resources such as the force helicopter and dog patrols in dealing with incidents when they arise."
The incident happened in the Bootle area of Liverpool on January 26. A second 20-year-old man was also arrested, and both have since been released on bail pending further inquiries.