The use of unmanned drones to fight crime was today given the cautious backing of a Home Office minister.
Damian Green said the notion of remotely-controlled drones patrolling the UK's skies should be treated like any other piece of police kit or activity.
His comments came at the launch of a new National Police Air Service (NPAS) which aims to remove force borders, improve the service and save millions of pounds.
Chief Constable Alex Marshall, who is leading the NPAS scheme for the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said the service should start looking towards drones that can stay in the air longer and would be cheaper than running manned aircraft.
Speaking at Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey, Mr Green said: "Drones are like any other piece of kit - where it's appropriate or proportionate to use them then we will look at using them.
"But they need to be treated the same as any other piece of police equipment or police activity.
"They should only be used when it's appropriate and proportionate to do so."
