-Caveat Lector-
Begin forwarded message:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: August 21, 2007 11:00:02 PM PDT
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: UK's Eye-Spy "UFO"
'Flying saucer' police spy camera takes to the skies
21.05.07
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23397459-details/'Flying
+saucer'+police+spy+camera+takes+to+the+skies/article.do
It looks more like the latest in saucepan technology than the
future of crime fighting.
But police are confident that this miniature remote-controlled
helicopter will be an invaluable weapon in the war against wrongdoers.
The Microdrone, measuring only 2ft between the tips of its eight
rotor blades, was originally designed for military reconnaissance.
When it takes to the skies above Liverpool this summer, it will be
the first time in this country such a device has been put to
civilian use.
With four stubby arms carrying the rotors, a miniature camera and a
pair of landing skids, the near-silent drone is designed to hover
above crime scenes and send footage to officers on the ground.
It can take off and fly in all weathers and has a maximum speed of
15mph.
The 'spy drone' was originally used for military reconnaissance
Planned targets will be everything from youths riding motorbikes in
a park to clashes between rival football fans and armed sieges
where it might be unsafe for officers to come too close.
Merseyside Police hope it will fulfil many of the roles of their
existing manned helicopter at much lower cost while supporting
their mobile CCTV vans on routine patrols.
The cost varies depending on the level of equipment - options
include thermal imaging cameras to enable night-time filming and a
loudspeaker so officers can shout instructions to those on the
ground - but ranges from £10,000 to £15,000 per drone.
Battery-powered and with a range of more than 500 yards, the mini-
helicopter can be flown by an officer on the ground wearing goggles
which enable him to see what the camera is filming, or it can be
put on autopilot and follow a programmed route.
With its military background, police are confident it will prove
yob-proof, and even if someone is skilful enough to take a
successful pot-shot it can still limp home with half its rotors
disabled.
The good news is that so far there are no plans to fit it with
speed cameras.
The drone was unveiled the day after Hampshire Deputy Chief
Constable Ian Readhead said the sheer number of CCTV cameras
operating today was creating an "Orwellian" society.
But officers in Liverpool say that while they accept some people
have concerns, surveillance cameras have the public's support.
"People clamour for the feeling of safety which cameras give," said
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Byrne.
"Our drone will be used primarily to support our anti-social
taskforce in gathering all-important evidence to put offenders
before the courts. Other uses may include monitoring public
disorder, crowd control during large-scale events, and dealing with
traffic congestion.
"We're also looking at its potential during firearm operations.
"For us, this is a cost-effective way of helping to catch criminals
which supports similar technology we're already using in our CCTV
vans and helicopters."
The drones are imported from Germany by Stoke-on-Trent-based MW Power.
Business development manager Alistair Fox said: "We believe they
are ideal for police use -- they can be up in the air in just three
minutes, they are relatively easy to fly, and they can provide high-
quality images back to officers on the ground.
"They don't need clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority
because as they weigh less than 7kg they are officially classified
as toys."
If the three-month Home Office-supported trial is considered a
success, Merseyside hopes to buy more Microdrones, and other forces
could follow suit.
Reader views
Welcome to 1984. The UK is slowly becoming a police state. We
currently have 1 CCTV camera for every 14 people in the UK. Soon,
implanted chips for everyone.
- Hody, Cardiff
How long before they fit weapons to it?
- Brian, Telford
Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com.
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