CHESHIRE Police is set to trial the use of a drone in order to help the force identify cannabis farms and search for missing people.

The constabulary and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service have purchased a new ‘state-of-the-art’ drone at a cost of £25,000.

It will be used during incidents and enquiries by firefighters and police during a six-month trial periods.

Fitted with a thermal imaging camera, the drone will also be used to assess road traffic collisions and assist with public order events.

David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, said: “Police currently use the National Air Support Service for all its aerial requirements, such as searches and photography.

“Although manned aircraft will always be required for some operational activities, there are opportunities – such as when aerial photography alone is required – that drone could be more suitable, quicker to deploy and more cost-effective.

“We have been monitoring the use of drones in other police forces and we think the time is right to test this new piece of equipment out for ourselves.

“This trial will help us to assess the benefits of the system in Cheshire.

“It is also important to stress that the drone will only be used for a specific purpose on operations and not for general surveillance.

“We are also delighted that we can share the equipment with the fire service to ensure the best value for taxpayers in the county.”

Three police officers and three firefighters have been trained to use the drone, which will only be deployed in the daytime during the trial period.

Cheshire Fire Authority chairman Bob Rudd added: “This is an exciting project and should really improve the service’s ability to tackle large scale fires and road traffic collisions and to help keep our fantastic firefighters safe.

“It is an amazing piece of equipment and demonstrates again both services’ commitment to the blue light collaboration project.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the outcome of the trial.”