MERSEYSIDE police made the first arrest in the UK using a flying drone to cage a suspected car thief in thick fog. The craft swooped into action in Litherland to help cage a suspect who had gone to ground in foggy conditions. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) acts as a flying CCTV and thermal imaging camera and is the force’s latest weapon in the fight against crime. It was deployed when it was reported that two men had stolen a Renault Clio in Bootle two weeks ago. After a police car chase they bailed out of the vehicle near the canal. Officers were able to detain one of the suspects, but struggled to find the second man in the dark . But thanks to the UAV's onboard thermal imaging technology, its operator was able to use live images of the body-heat the suspect was giving out and direct patrols on the ground and in the dark to where he was. The camera led officers to the spot where the man was obscured by bushes, lying beside the Leeds Liverpool canal. The force became the first in the UK to trial the drones in 2007, and has since used them to assist in search and rescue operations, drug warrants and to crack down on anti-social behaviour. And Merseyside Police is the only police force in the country to operate a drone. They are operated by the force’s Anti-Social Behaviour task force and most recently supported Operation Banger in Sefton and Merseyside. Operated by remote conotrol from the ground they provide the force with a cheaper alternative to the police helicopter when aerial surveillance is needed. Originally developed for military operations the Home Office is now exploring how the craft can be used in the UK to give back up to police, ambulance and fire services. Chief Inspector Nick Gunatilleke from the Force's Anti-social Behaviour Taskforce, which operates the UAV, said: “The Force is continually looking to use new technology to help in its fight against crime and these arrests demonstrate the value of having something like the UAV as a resource. “In this case the UAV's thermal imaging camera was particularly helpful in identifying where one of the suspects was hiding by detecting the body heat he was giving off. The live footage was being viewed by the UAV's operator in the mobile command vehicle close to the scene and they were able to then direct patrols on the ground to where the suspect was concealed. “We are the only police force in the country currently using a UAV like this and this is the first time the thermal imaging equipment has led directly to an arrest since the UAV went live in November so we are very pleased. “It also has a wealth of other technology on board and we will use it whenever we can to support other resources such as the Force helicopter and dog patrols in dealing with incidents when they arise.” l Both men who were arrested during the incident, on January 26, have since been released on police bail pending further enquiries. | 
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