Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 23-The London Police Department said on the 23rd that it has launched a new drone emergency response project, taking advantage of the fact that this equipment can reach the crime scene faster, and transmit images to police officers in real time to help identify and locate suspects.

According to Reuters, this project, called "First Responder Drone", is currently launched in the Islington area of north London and is in the testing stage.

These drones are usually stored in waterproof tanks on the roofs of some police buildings and are charged and can be deployed remotely to the scene of the accident. Once ordered, the drone can quickly provide high-quality images after take-off and transmit real-time images to the control room or the police who are rushing to the scene. According to the London Police Department, the drone can meet a number of first-line police needs, including searching for missing persons, tracking suspects and collecting evidence on the scene.

Although the Metropolitan Police Department has previously used drones to assist in police work, these drones usually require advance application. This test project means that drones can provide help more quickly after receiving a request for assistance.

London police are planning to expand the project to two more areas this year, covering the West District and Hyde Park.

In addition to London, police in other parts of the UK are also testing drone emergency responses.

In the UK, drones are also undergoing testing for other applications. The British Civil Aviation Authority announced in August last year that it had selected six projects to test the use of drones in delivery, infrastructure inspections and emergency services. The British Civil Aviation Authority said the test projects will help regulators develop policies and regulations to "fully integrate" drone flights with other airspace users. (Qiao Ying)