Police drones set to be used in South Yorkshire

Drones are set to take to the skies above South Yorkshire communities in the police fight against crime.
Drones could be used in South Yorkshire in the fight against crimeDrones could be used in South Yorkshire in the fight against crime
Drones could be used in South Yorkshire in the fight against crime

South Yorkshire Police has revealed that the force is currently trialling the use of drones before they are introduced across the county.

Drones are being trialled by South Yorkshire PoliceDrones are being trialled by South Yorkshire Police
Drones are being trialled by South Yorkshire Police

The devices can scan the ground from the air, providing an overview of crime scenes, crowds, incidents or activity of interest to officers.

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Using Facebook to announce the use of the new technology, a South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Is it a bird? Is it a plane?...Well sort of, it's an SYP drone.

Drones are being trialled by South Yorkshire PoliceDrones are being trialled by South Yorkshire Police
Drones are being trialled by South Yorkshire Police

"Coming to a neighbourhood near you soon.

"They are still in the testing/trial phase but if all goes well its something to look forward to in our mission to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in your neighbourhoods.

"Bet the criminals won't like them."

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Drones were recently used by detectives investigating the discovery of human remains in a field in Barnsley.

Following the grim discovery in Swaithe in February, detectives used a drone to provide an aerial view of the field.

At that time, Detective Chief Inspector Martin Tate tweeted that the drone had been used to 'expedite scene assessment'.

He added: "The future is already here."

The remains were identified as those of Martin Neil Radford, who lived in Barnsley and would have turned 60 last autumn.

A post mortem failed to reveal a cause of death.

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An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is underway.

Zuleika Payne, of the South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation, said: "We are always looking for ways in which to enhance service delivery so there may be some benefits. "However, you cannot underestimate the value of a bobby on the beat and the asset they are to the organisation.

"Enhancement should be exactly that and not a substitute for."