Up next to integrate drone technology into their everyday operations in the UK is the Humberside Police, who will be introducing a drone fleet beginning April 1st.
And a lot of their residents are wondering what took them so long.
Humberside Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the former county of Humberside, made up of the authorities of East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston upon Hull, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.
The police will be using the drones to support frontline officers and protect the communities under its aegis.
The move brings Humberside up to date with other police forces across the UK as they shift their reliance away from relying on Humberside Fire & Rescue Service for drone support during operations.
Instead, specially trained police officers will pilot the drones, enabling faster and more flexible deployment during incidents.
The drones, part of the latest DJI Matrice 4 Series, are equipped with features designed to enhance a wide range of policing activities.
These include the use of built-in artificial intelligence to assist in locating high-risk missing persons, the ability to track suspects fleeing crime scenes, and pinpoint laser range finders that can guide officers directly to people or locations of interest.
Police say the technology will play a crucial role in saving lives and improving situational awareness. By providing real-time aerial intelligence, the drones will help officers better understand unfolding incidents, reduce risks, and ensure that the appropriate resources — including other emergency services — are deployed quickly and effectively.
“This project reflects our commitment to innovation, allowing us to respond more quickly to incidents and provide officers with important information as situations develop,” said Superintendent Tim Harrison.
“By using our own drones, we can support searches for missing people, track suspects, and give officers a clearer picture of what’s happening on the ground, helping them make informed decisions and act even faster. This means we can improve public safety, reduce risk, and deliver a more effective service to our communities.”
In addition to operational support, the drones are expected to strengthen the criminal justice process. They can capture vital evidence, including footage of offences in progress, arrests, and scene management, helping investigators build stronger cases and present clearer evidence in court.
“By developing our own drone capability, we’ve created a valuable policing resource that is highly effective in supporting our operations and helping to keep people safe.”
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Leo Hammond also welcomed the development, highlighting its role in modern policing.
“I will always support Humberside Police to be at the forefront of policing, and that’s why I am delighted to see this new and improved drone capability which will help our officers tackle crime and keep our communities, rural, urban and coastal safe,” he said.