Drones: Mixed results from police use

Some police forces have purchased or trialled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) or drones with varied results.

On November 2011, a spokesman for Essex Police told the Independent that their drone had hardly been used after the forced decided it was not value for money.

Merseyside Police used a £13,000 helicopter drone fitted with surveillance cameras for four years.

During this time, the force said the craft was instrumental in a number of arrests but last October the helicopter suffered a malfunction and landed in the river Mersey.

A spokesperson said the force decided not to purchase a replacement due to "operational issues including staff training costs and the inability to use the UAV in all weather conditions."