Hong Kong police will introduce drone patrols in urban areas in the second half of the year in a bid to prevent burglaries, the Post has learned.
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A source revealed that the drones would be used to patrol areas with a concentration of old tenement buildings, such as Yau Tsim Mong and Sham Shui Po districts in Kowloon.
“One of the purposes will be to tackle burglaries, targeting buildings covered with scaffolding,” the insider said.
“That’s why the patrols will be launched in areas with more tenement buildings, as renovation works for ageing buildings require the use of scaffolding, and that is an easy spot for burglars.”
The source added the force would also carry out trials of drone patrols at the city’s border police district in the northern New Territories for security purposes.
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In December of last year, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung told lawmakers police would use drones for patrols should regulations allow it. The patrols would take place on set routes planned ahead of operations to avoid residential areas.