Don’t miss the latest developments in business and finance.

Scotland Yard may use eagles to take down criminals' drones

Image
Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Feb 08 2016 | 7:28 PM IST
Scotland Yard is considering using eagles to hunt and take down drones operated by criminals, amid concerns that the pilot-less aircraft can be used to smuggle items and drop explosives by terrorists.
The Metropolitan Police commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, is reportedly impressed with a similar Dutch initiative and is keen for London to trial the use of birds of prey against dangerous pilot-less aircraft controlled remotely.
"As would be expected in an organisation that is transforming, we take an interest in all innovative ideas and will of course be looking at the use of eagles by the Dutch police," a Met Police spokesperson said.
Drones are used by police officers to capture footage on difficult terrain, including cliffs and woodland.
However, the remote-controlled objects can be exploited by criminals to smuggle items and there are also increasing concerns that drones could be used by terrorists for reconnaissance or to drop explosives, 'The Times' reported.
Dutch police teamed-up with security firm Guard From Above (GFA), which trains birds of prey to identify drones as prey and snatch them out of the sky.

Also Read

"The animal instinct of a bird of prey is unique. They are made to be able to overpower fast-moving prey. Sometimes the solution to a hypermodern problem is more obvious than you might think," a GFA statement said.
The UK's Ministry of Justice (MoJ) reported nine attempts to use drones to infiltrate prisons in England and Wales in the first five months of 2015.
The UK Air Proximity Board said last month that drones had been involved in four serious near misses at UK airports.
The use of eagles has been discussed at a recent Met Police management meeting with a senior officer dispatched to the Netherlands to determine whether it could work in London.

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 08 2016 | 7:28 PM IST

Next Story