SPANISH police have started using drones to help patrol some of the country’s most popular beaches. Police in Benidorm, on Spain’s eastern coast, rolled out the technology in July this year.
They are using the in-built camera on the light unmanned aircraft to detect swimmers in trouble or boats that may need help.
They said the drone – first used in Benidorm though other resorts are now launching the aerial surveillance tool had let them quickly verify situations flagged up by the public.
“We have two purposes for the drone: preventative surveillance, where we fly it four times a day; and on-the-spot surveillance where if there’s a problem we will fly it to check it out,” said Carlos Lopez, the police chief in charge of the forces working on Benidorm’s beach.
The number of foreign tourists arriving in Spain rose nearly 12 per cent in the first six months of
the year over the same period in 2015.
FILE PHOTO: Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer hosts the first roundtable of regional English mayors with Andy Burnham (R) mayor of Greater Manchester, at Downing Street on July 9, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Vogler - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
