VALENCIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 12, 2023--

Cutting-edge plans to use drones as first responders to police emergencies will be trialled in Norfolk next year. If testing is successful, the devices would be stationed on buildings and operated remotely to be sent first to scenes to give police early information. Initial trials, under a scheme dubbed Project Eagle X, will take place in Norfolk, which has limited access to the helicopters flown by the National Police Air Service because they are stationed so far away. Further tests will also take place in Thames Valley Police and Hampshire. It can tell you straight away whether you're talking about a major road traffic collision that requires three fire engines and four ambulances, or whether it's a minor prang and someone's getting overexcited Neil Sexton, National Police Chiefs' Council Police in England and Wales are working with officers in the US as similar trials have taken place in San Diego. The drones as first responders (DFR) devices are also set to be trialled in Belgium and the Netherlands. Neil Sexton, who advises the National Police Chiefs’ Council on the use of drones, said: “DFR is a drone that sits autonomously on a roof somewhere in a city and it’s in a box, it’s protected. “From a control station that receives a 999 call it can be launched completely remotely, flying overhead an incident to gain situational awareness that will be fed back not just to that control station or control room, but also to the first responders who are about to arrive on the ground.” The hope is the drone would give more accurate information on the potential scale of an incident that a potentially shocked member of the public who has called 999, and get there more quickly than a helicopter. “The ability to get a remote aircraft overhead an incident that is still developing to gain a better situational awareness [is] much improved over phone calls from members of the public who are under stress,” Mr Sexton said. “Sitting overhead, it can tell you straight away whether you’re talking about a major road traffic collision that requires three fire engines and four ambulances, or whether it’s a minor prang and someone’s getting overexcited.” Currently, police forces in England and Wales use about 400 drones that cannot be flown out of the operator’s line of sight. Plans are in place to amend those rules to allow police operators to do so, with initial trials taking place in areas with closed-off airspace next year. Forces are also planning much wider use of retrospective facial recognition technology, with chiefs proposing to double its use by May. The biometric software, hailed as significant a step forward for policing as DNA analysis, is used to compare images from sources such as CCTV with forces’ databases of custody shots. Britain’s largest police force the Metropolitan Police has already said it will use the software to catch prolific shoplifters caught on CCTV. South Wales Police, one of the forces to spearhead use of live and retrospective facial recognition, is also piloting software that can be used by officers on their mobile phones. Around 50 officers currently have access to an app on their phones that allows them to take a photo of a suspect and compare it to the force’s mugshot database. If the test is successful, the system could be rolled out across England and Wales. Read More Apple to adopt system to improve texting between iPhones and Android devices ICO seeks permission to appeal against Clearview AI tribunal ruling Users of iPhones can now check bank balance from Wallet app VR tool aims to help rail passengers spot and safely tackle sexual harassment Ring to preview security features with abuse charity to boost safety TikTok launches feature to save songs to music apps like Spotify

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 19, 2023--

Ratings agency Fitch on Wednesday downgraded U.S. mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Long-Term Issuer Default

Novak Djokovic has made his long-term goal clear

The Green Bay Packers fell 17-13 to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football. Here are three Packers to blame.

WWE 2K23 new superstars include The Bella Twins, Cody Rhodes, Kurt Angle, Queen Zelina and Molly Holly.

Our biggest tip when it comes to picking out the perfect Father’s Day gift — which is no simple feat, might we add — is to think beyond a “best dad ever” mug or gift cards. If you take your dad’s everyday habits and lifestyle into consideration, your purchase will not only make practical sense, he will think of you every time he uses it, too. Bonus points if it’s something he won’t think to buy for himself — and maybe because he’ll forget he needs it until he gets that Southwest notification that it’s time to check in for his flight. For that reason, travel accessories get our top vote as a thoughtful gift idea that fathers will get a lot of mileage out of, especially if your dad is someone who is always on the move.

Zach Wilson barreled into Robert Saleh on the Jets' sideline.

About 16 million people in California will pay higher electric and gas bills next year

Rose Zhang turned professional with many expecting great things and she didn't disappoint, winning the Mizuho Americas Open in her debut

BELLEVUE, Wash. & OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 5, 2023--