The Minns Labor Government will continue the Australian-first police drone trial in Moree for another two years and will look to roll out the technology in other regional areas.
The drones are part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure NSW Police have world-class, modern technology to help keep regional communities safe.
Two drones have been operating in Moree this year giving officers another tool to respond to and prevent crime.
Known as POLAIR Remote, the drones are remotely piloted from a ‘Remote Operations Centre at the NSW Police Force Aviation Command at Bankstown Airport.
Police can reach anywhere in town within minutes of launch, improving police response times.
This is the first time drone technology has been used in this way in Australian policing.
An evaluation of the Australia-first trial in Moree is currently underway, with the evaluation looking at the operational effectiveness of the technology.
A community survey of 516 people was also undertaken to consider community confidence in the trial, which found that:
- 85% report no perceived negative impact
- 83% believed the drones enhance public safety
- 82% were either positive or very positive about the drone use
- 78% of respondents believed the drones improved emergency response times
- 76% said they had very high or high trust in police use of drones
- 75% feel safer or much safer as a result of the drone presence
Further consultation, including with Aboriginal stakeholders, will be undertaken as part of the expansion of the drone program.
The Moree drone program is part of the Minns Labor Government’s long-term place-based response plan to address youth crime and improve community safety across regional New South Wales, including:
- Investing $13.4 million for a targeted place-based response in Moree
- Investing $23 million to address youth crime and improve community safety in regional NSW
- Investing $6.3 million to provide intensive bail supervision and support for young people
- Providing $5.5 million for youth diversion and violence reduction programs
- Creating a new ‘Post and Boast’ offence for offenders who record their crimes for social media notoriety
- Securing a historic payrise for officers and paying police recruits to train to boost frontline numbers.
Learn more about the NSW Government’s investment via Moree place-based response.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“We’re extending this Australian-first trial in Moree for another two years because we want to give police every tool we can to keep regional communities safe.
“These drones can be anywhere across Moree within two or three minutes, giving police on the ground eyes in the sky and critical information about what they’re responding to.
“There’s no single answer to regional crime, but we’ll keep investing in police, prevention and new technology that can help make communities safer.”
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:
“This is smart policing at its best. Police and the local community have told us the drone program is a real game changer, so we’re extending it.
“This technology is changing the way police fight crime and it’s happening because the Minns Labor Government is giving police the tools they need to keep our communities safe.
“Modern policing happens in the community, in the sky, on the road and at the scene not behind a desk. That’s the legacy we’re building.”