British cops launch 24-hour drone flying squad

LONDON — A UK police force is set to launch the country’s first 24-hour drone unit after completing successful trials of the technology.

Devon and Cornwall Police said on its official Facebook page that drones can capture footage in hard to reach areas such as woodland to find a missing person.

Among several other uses for the drones, police believe they can help pursue suspects and record images at the scene of road traffic accidents.

According to London’s Metropolitan police force, the cost of operating a police helicopter is ‎£850 per flying hour. Drones could help the police cut costs because the devices cost as little as ‎£1,000 pounds each. The only operating cost is recharging the battery.

As many as 21 British police forces are reportedly experimenting with drones. The devices have been used by police to watch over the Duchess of Cambridge on a royal visit and to chase a lynx that escaped from a zoo.