Metropolitan Police explores use of drones for chases in London
UAVs are being examined as an option for pursuing criminals in London. The move comes as part of a wider review into police pursuit tactics, which have come under criticism due to the dangers they pose. Using UAVs to sit over an area and direct ground units may both help save lives by avoiding high-speed ground chases and provide a significantly cheaper option than helicopters, the Met has said.

S cotland Yard is examining the use of drones to pursue moped-riding thieves through the streets of London.

The Met has launched a review of pursuit tactics after an inquest jury found Henry Hicks, 18, died when his moped crashed during a high-speed chase.

The teenager, who was not suspected of theft, was trying to flee police in two unmarked cars when he died in Islington in 2014, the jury at St Pancras coroner’s court found last week.

One police driver denied it had been a pursuit.

Separately, two officers are under criminal investigation after Lewis Johnson, 18, died when his scooter crashed near Clapton Common in February, following a chase by police cars and a helicopter. Officers were pursuing the scooter following an earlier theft.

Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey, speaking at a meeting of the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee, said crime involving thieves on two wheels was rising but that police face difficulties in tackling moped gangs due to the dangers of pursuing them.

The pursuit of two-wheeled vehicles is not outlawed but Mr Mackey said there were factors for officers to consider. He said the Met was reviewing all its options and considering all available tactics, including the use of drones.

All you need to know to fly a drone

Police are battling to combat a rise in drive-by snatches focused in Camden and Islington. Figures have showed there were 3,000 phone thefts in the two boroughs in the past 12 months.

The Met said: “The possibilities of unmanned aerial vehicles to tackle suspects using two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles to commit crime are currently being discussed at a national level by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s steering group and the Centre for Applied Science and Technology.

Aviation expert Julian Bray said police could use drones in place of a helicopter. He said: “It would be much cheaper and the drone could sit over an area and direct ground units to the fleeing car or motorbike.

“There are issues with Civil Aviation Authority rules but I am sure they will make it work because it could save money and it may save lives, because you would not have police cars tearing after suspects in high-speed chases.”