On 26 February 2026, a robbery suspect was arrested in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, after being spotted by a police drone pilot while hiding in thick bushes. The suspect had attempted to escape from officers on the ground by crawling into dense undergrowth, but thermal imaging technology allowed the pilot to find them within minutes.
The Nottinghamshire Police drone unit now operates a 24-hour service using a fleet of six drones and a team of up to 17 pilots. Sergeant Vince Saunders, who serves as the chief drone pilot, noted that the arrest is a clear example of how the aerial technology and trained pilots can support local policing.
Broxtowe Borough Council currently coordinates with the police through a multi-agency group to manage community safety and emergency planning. This high-tech approach helps the local authorities respond to incidents faster than traditional search methods on the ground.
To address concerns about privacy in residential areas, all drone deployments must follow a specific video policy. This requirement ensures that cameras are recording from the moment the drone is launched until it returns to the ground.
The use of these drones is intended to reduce the time suspects remain at large while also improving safety for the officers involved in searches. This technology has become a regular part of how the force handles both emergency calls and planned operations across the county.
