They're loud, they're expensive, and they give a birds-eye view of the area - meet Tasmania Police's newest technology in fighting crime - drones.
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New drones were added to the fleet on Monday, able to be used in a variety of situations to assist police with investigations.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Robert Blackwood said the new technology adds to the force's statewide fight against crime.
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"We now have a statewide coverage of drones now, with 20 trained pilots and another five to be trained," he said.
"Over the last couple of weeks we've seen the drones used really effectively, particularly in relation to officer safety and solving crime."
The new drones have been used in situations including burglaries and evade incidents.
"We recently had a burglary with stolen vehicles identified as well," acting Assistant Commissoner Blackwood said.
"The drones were deployed and we were able to give officers situational awareness.
"The drones then identified a stolen vehicle located on a large farming property, and also assisted in locating stolen firearms.
"They're also used quite often in relation to vehicles that evade police.
"When an attempted intercept is made and the vehicle doesn't stop, the drone is a really useful tool to then follow that vehicle without the police required to be in close proximity. We can then see where the vehicle goes and send police to that location and apprehend the offender at a safe time."
Drones are deployed from across the state to assist in search and rescue efforts, as well as to help officers efficiently investigate crash scenes.
"The drones save a lot of manpower out walking, and help in going to locations that are difficult to attend on foot," acting Assistant Commissioner Blackwood said.
"The larger drones can drop items at scenes, including a mobile telephone, transporting rope, as well as food and water and first aid equipment. It can even take an inflatable life vest if someone is in a water situation.
"When a road would normally be closed for hours we can deploy a drone, get 3D modelling and imaging of the scene and reopen the road quicker."
Police Minister Mark Shelton said that alongside the new drones are new training opportunities to ensure they can be deployed as efficiently as possible.
"There are three types of new drones out there, they will be spread around the three policing districts to assist police in their activities in traffic management, in search and rescue, forensic services, road crash rescue and search and rescue," he said.
"The latest technology helps Tasmania Police keep Tasmanians as safe as they possibly can be.
"Drones are piloted by 20 pilots around Tasmania, who are trained and certified by CASA [Civil Aviation Safety Authority] to ensure they keep to the rules.
"This is part of the government's $400,000 commitment over four years to the drones program, with some of that money going towards training our officers as pilots."
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