West Midlands police officers had sky-high reinforcements at the Aston Villa-Birmingham City match on Sunday. For the first time ever, drones were used to monitor fans.
The drone used is capable of taking clear, high-definition footage that police are able to use to identify suspects and can fly up to 400 feet. Aviation rules prohibit the drone from flying over the stadium, and it must stay away from residential properties.
“This technology is fantastic and has real benefits to modern day policing,” Sergeant Keith Holliday, who is part of the West Midlands Police football policing operation, said in a statement.
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According to the West Midlands Police, a professionally trained remote pilot would control the drone. Another officer observed the drone to make sure that it was safe flight and monitored the images being captured.
Despite emotions being high for the first match up between the two clubs in more than five years, the derby finished without any major incidents. There were precautions taken – like the non-sale of alcohol inside the away fan section and there were limited numbers of tickets sold to away fans – that likely affected the low number of disturbances. But the drone security also might have had something to do with it.
“Overall there was a fantastic atmosphere with two sets of great fans, the majority of fans embraced the feel-good factor of the day and were well-behaved,” match commander Chief Inspector Nick Rowe said in a statement. “Overall there was a fantastic atmosphere with two sets of great fans, the majority of fans embraced the feel-good factor of the day and were well-behaved.”