by Australian Police Use Drones to Fight Crime
The New South Wales Police in Australia have launched a new program called PolAir-Remote. As part of this initiative, remotely controlled drones will be used to assist officers on the ground. The program has already begun operating in the town of Moree.
First Successes of the Technology
The first two drones were installed on the roof of the Moree police station last month. They have already participated in responding to a number of incidents, including assaults and burglaries.
In one case, a group of individuals, according to police, broke into an elderly couple’s home and stole two cars. A few days later, with the help of the PolAir-Remote system, a 14-year-old teenager was detained. Both cars were also returned.
Additional Functions of the Drones
The drones also assisted in another case when car keys were stolen from a motel room. The thieves fled in the victim’s SUV, which was found the next day near a river.
Officials have shared little about the technical specifications of the drones themselves, but NSW Police mentioned an incident where a drone supporting police “spotted a series of fires” across Moree. Firefighters were promptly notified and were able to extinguish the flames.
Future Plans
The deployment in Moree is part of a six-month pilot project, but police are already planning its expansion. As stated by NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos:
The pilot project has so far proven successful in combating regional crime and has provided the region with additional operational resources.
The program is designed to prevent, disrupt, and respond to criminal activity. The drones are planned to be implemented in several locations, starting with the small town of Moree, which has a population of about 7,100 people. The drones will be controlled remotely from an operational base at Bankstown Airport, in particular thanks to live video streaming.
The use of unmanned technology in law enforcement opens up new possibilities for monitoring and rapid response, especially in regional areas. The successful cases in Moree demonstrate that such systems can be effective not only in searching for criminals but also in resolving other emergencies, such as fires. This indicates the technology’s potential to become a multifunctional tool for ensuring security. Expanding the program could significantly impact police operational work in the future.
