Devon and Cornwall Police to set up first permanent drone squad
Devon and Cornwall Police has become the first constabulary in the UK to create a dedicated, 24-hour drone assistance unit. The unit is set to go live this summer, following the appointment of a drone manager to oversee the nine sites the machines will operate from. The drones will offer an "eye in the sky" whenever the police require it, as well as seeking out missing persons or following high-speed pursuits. Other forces are testing drones as well, including the Metropolitan Police.

The Devon and Cornwall Police force is to become the first in the UK with a permanent, 24-hour drone assistance unit. The flying fuzz will be on hand to search for missing persons, seek out suspects and generally provide an eye in the sky whenever needed, gathering intel at crime scenes and responding to road accidents. The dedicated unit, which will also help out police in neighbouring Dorset, is set to launch this summer after a new "drone manager" is hired to oversee the nine sites the coppercopters will operate out of.

Drones are being trialled by police forces across the UK, and London rozzers have previously said they could make high-speed pursuits safer, particularly where motorbikes are involved. Devon and Cornwall Police is the first constabulary to commit to a permanent unit after testing DJI Inspire 1 drones in the field for the past two years.