NSW lawmakers push for regional police drone expansion

Lawmakers in New South Wales are advocating for the expansion of police drone programs to regional areas to combat crime and improve public safety. Following a trial in Moree, where 75 per cent of residents reported feeling safer due to the drone presence, Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson is calling for the technology to be deployed in Tamworth and Gunnedah.

Anderson suggests drones could assist in locating offenders, tracking stolen vehicles, and supporting search and rescue operations. He has requested the government establish a division of the police air wing in Tamworth to provide an operational boost to local law enforcement.

In Wagga Wagga, independent MP Joe McGirr has formally requested that the state government prioritize the city for drone roll-outs to address the issue of illegal motorbike riders. McGirr noted that high-speed pursuits are often too dangerous for officers, allowing riders to evade capture. Drones would allow police to safely track offenders until they can be apprehended, addressing community concerns regarding riders in parks and pedestrian areas.