August 20, 2007 12:38

'Spy Helicopter' used at festival

V Festival Staffordshire gets police plane

A remote control "spy helicopter" was used when policing [a]V Festival[/b] in Staffordshire at the weekend (August 18, 19).

Staffordshire Police have been using the CCTV drone for the first time at the festival.

Officers said the remote-controlled plane helped capture offenders at the festival site at Weston Park.

By Sunday police had arrested 62 people in total at the festival, and had cautioned more than 100.

Officers said 32 of those arrested had been found possessing drugs.
The remote control drone was being used particularly in the festival's car park to catch criminals attempting to break into vehicles.

Chief Inspector Pete Owen said they expected to use the technology at future big events.

He told the BBC: "We are delighted to be trialling the drone.

"It will work in addition to the CCTV that we will monitor on site throughout the festival.

"Our message to criminals is that we will be watching you and you will be arrested if you are caught on camera."