Council looks to build on drone success

More drones could be bought by Dudley Council, to support a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

Council leader Patrick Harley said the authority was using "groundbreaking technologies in the fight" and welcomed a recent operation using drones at Merry Hill shopping centre.

During the day of action, a drone helped police investigate suspicious behaviour using facial recognition and thermal imaging cameras.

As well as looking to buy more drones, the council also wants to train more pilots.

The authority recently introduced restrictions known as a Public Spaces Protection Orders around Merry Hill, allowing it to issue fines of up to £100 to people responsible for anti-social behaviour.

That could include threatening or abusing behaviour, blocking the road or parking on footpaths as well as vehicle-related activity such as revving engines, sounding horns or playing loud music.

Andy Stevens, currently employed by the authority to fly the drones, said: "We cover the entire Dudley borough, there has been a lot of focused work to address anti-social behaviour issues, this is a new asset, naturally we are using it."

He said the cameras on his drone were "very, very high definition" which could zoom in from up to three kilometres (1.86 miles) away with "complete and utter clarity".

During the recent operation at Merry Hill , the drone was used to help police seize a car being driven without insurance and an off-road motorbike, a spokesperson said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.