Inspector Stu Ross and PCC Donna Jones with the technology being deployed (Photo: OPCC)
Trained volunteer drone pilots are being deployed to live rural crime incidents in Hampshire under a police scheme believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary says the drones will support officers responding to offences including hare coursing, poaching and non-dwelling burglaries, while also helping gather evidence and improve information-sharing with rural communities.
The volunteers can be called out by the police control room when drone support is needed during an ongoing incident.
Five people are currently taking part in the pilot, all of whom have completed a bespoke drone operators’ course.
The force says it hopes to expand the scheme and recruit more volunteers in future if the pilot proves successful.
Inspector Stu Ross, who is leading the project, said rural crime continues to cause serious disruption for people living and working in the countryside.
He said: “Rural criminals cause continued misery to farmers, landowners, gamekeepers and estate owners across the county, and indeed across the country.”
Mr Ross said the project had been designed to involve local communities more directly in rural policing.
“That’s why we have introduced this innovative project which enables us to bring the community into the heart of rural policing.”
The volunteers will support officers at live incidents, complementing existing police drones, mobile automatic number plate recognition cameras and trail cameras.
The constabulary also operates its Country Watch Rural Crime Task Force, made up of officers and staff with specialist knowledge in areas including stolen plant, heritage crime and wildlife crime.
Mr Ross said the volunteers would add another layer of support for officers dealing with crimes in progress.
“I am incredibly grateful for the volunteers we have recruited so far, who are lending their skills to pilot drones and assist officers on the ground dealing with crimes in action.”
The pilot has been funded by Test Valley Borough Council, North Wessex Downs National Landscapes’ Farming in Protected Landscapes programme and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones.
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is also among the organisations involved in the project.
Ms Jones said rural crime remained a serious concern for businesses and communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
She said: “Rural crime is a blight on business & rural communities across our two counties.”
She said the drone pilot was intended to improve cooperation between farmers, landowners, rural residents and police.
“This pilot will improve the intelligence police receive and, in turn, the police response to reported incidents. If successful I will roll it out across the whole police force area.”
Ms Jones said the scheme would sit alongside other rural policing initiatives, including the Rural Crime Task Force and the EyesOn digital crime reporting app.
Test Valley Borough Council said the project showed how local volunteers and technology could be used together to support rural communities.
Councillor Stewart MacDonald, the authority’s portfolio holder for community-led projects, said: “Strong communities are built on people working together, and this initiative shows how local knowledge, technology and community spirit can combine to support our rural areas.”
Richard Clarke, chair of the North Wessex Downs National Landscapes Farming in Protected Landscapes panel, said the project could also help protect farmers from wildlife crime and anti-social behaviour.
He said: “This innovative project empowers local communities to support farming by helping tackle rural and wildlife crime and anti-social behaviour, creating a safer environment for farmers, the local community and wildlife.”
The scheme is now being piloted with five trained volunteers, with the possibility of a wider rollout across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight force area if it proves successful.