Police drones could be used to help elderly in winter
Drone footage used to hunt criminals could now be used to help identify elderly residents at risk of falling victim to the cold this winter.
Dudley Council may ask police to share thermal camera footage taken from the air that would identify victims of fuel poverty.
Officials have suggested the move after West Midlands Police asked for a licence to fly drones from land owned by the local authority.
Police use the aircraft to collect evidence, including filming crime scenes, providing live feeds direct from major incidents or football games and protests, and to hunt for criminals in large and hard to reach areas like parkland, canal and tow paths.
But the application to next week’s cabinet has led to a suggestion that thermal images could also be used to see which homes are not heated properly.
Cabinet member Khurshid Ahmed said said: “The purpose is for it not to jeopardise privacy.
"We know resources with the police are limited and this is not to replace the police’s work, it’s an add on.”
In a report recommending granting police a licence, local authority officers said: “Shropshire Council have done some interesting data matching, linking heat images of housing (showing poor insulation), with council tax data for single person households, with electoral register data on people aged over 75.
"People aged over 75, living alone in poorly insulated houses are very likely to require an emergency admission to hospital within the next 12 months, so are perfect for proactive preventative action.
“Given that the UAVs will be carrying thermal cameras, they could fairly easily do some surveys of the borough to spot the poorly insulated houses for the council.”
Councillor Ken Finch, who represents the Castle and Priory Road ward in the borough, said: “Anything that helps to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour I whole-heartedly support.
"And the fact that elderly people are often the victims of crime, then I think this would help a lot.”
West Midlands Police is seeking a Memo of Understanding to fly from council land.
Although air space is not privately owned, landing and take-off sites require the owner’s permission.
By George Makin, Local Democracy Reporter
