Police donate drones to search and rescue teams

A police force has donated three drones to a search and rescue team who help them look for missing and injured people.

Devon and Cornwall Police donated the drones to Peninsula Search and Rescue (PenSAR), the regional body of Mountain Rescue for all the voluntary search and rescue teams in the South West.

The donated drones had been with the police force for three years and have capability to fly in strong winds and rain.

Alec Collyer, drone officer for PenSAR, said: "We have a number of drones, but they tend to be the smaller ones, safe to fly near people."

He added: "They're not weather capable, they're not thermal imaging capable, but they are good for a quick first look around the crag or around the water line to show the search managers what's actually happening.

"These drones that the police are donating will allow us to fly at night with thermal imaging in complete darkness and be able to do that in rain as well which is something we've not had.

"I know we've not seen much rain but in the winter we're going to see a lot of it I feel."

Chris Linzey from the Devon and Cornwall Police drone team, said: "The equipment we have been using for several years now, it is really good kit.

"What we are donating today is equipment that is capable of operating in the rain, relatively strong winds and can stay up for at least 30 minutes.

"We have also provided batteries to ensure a continuous operation - so it is a big leap forward.

"We will be supporting them with some training... in terms of minimum requirements, they've got that covered."

He added: "This kit is still in use with some smaller teams dotted around the force, so it's a really good kit.

"There is no point in it sitting on a shelf, when it can be put to good use by our search partners."

He added it would cost more than £6,000 to purchase the kit new.

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