London: Unmanned drones are being piloted over private homes in England by burglars to identify potential targets, police have warned.
Detectives fear the devices, which can be bought for as little as pounds 30, are being deployed to take surveillance photographs from above, posing a new threat to home security.
Suffolk Constabulary confirmed it had received at least one report of drones being used by burglars to “case” properties.
The drones are highly manoeuvrable and, depending on the model, can carry advanced, high-definition cameras that can capture video and still images.
It is feared that because the technology allows thieves to explore properties from the air they will be used to identify security weak spots, such as older-style patio or French doors that can be easily forced.
Because of their abilities to get close to potential targets, drones are thought to present an even greater threat than websites such as Google’s Street View and Google Earth services, which have previously been accused of assisting thieves with satellite and kerbside images of properties.
Larger homes with substantial grounds may be the most likely target for thieves using drones, police said.
Piloting them over perimeter walls would allow criminals to carry out low-risk reconnaissance around homes that cannot be seen from public roads.
Paul Ford, the secretary of the Police Federation National Detectives Forum, said: “Drones can be noisy and very visible so hopefully criminals risk giving themselves away.
“If members of the public observe drones being used in areas which make them suspicious they should contact police.
We must remain alive to the potential risks posed by the misuse of technology, but at the end of the day this is a reminder to householders to make sure their homes are secure, and to consider any extra security measures they may need such as a burglar alarm.” The Suffolk force confirmed it had investigated an incident in which a drone had been “used to identify a property for a burglary”.
A University of Birmingham report warned in October that drones presented a range of opportunities for criminals and terrorists.
