UK Police to Deploy Drones as First Responders in £230 Million Tech Boost

The UK government announces a significant investment in police technology, including the use of drones for emergency responses and video reporting of crimes.

Police forces across the UK will utilize drones as first responders to emergencies, following a £230 million investment announced in the budget.
The initiative aims to enhance police efficiency by reducing response times and administrative burdens, potentially freeing up resources equivalent to 20,000 officers annually.
Drones will provide live situational awareness to control rooms, aiding in the assessment of incidents and the allocation of necessary resources.
The funding will also support the expansion of violence reduction units and the implementation of hotspot policing to target high-crime areas.
Civil liberties organizations express concerns over the increased use of drones, citing potential targeting of marginalized communities.