PC Steve Prince ran a drone demonstration and helped NFU farmer members and staff have a try at operating the drones.
The event took place on NFU member David Spanton鈥檚 farm near Heathfield, East Sussex.
This followed a meeting held a few days earlier between NFU members, Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner and , where key rural crime issues were discussed.
NFU West Sussex Chair Andrew Strong said: 鈥淭his was a great event and we were very impressed by what we saw.
鈥淭his drone technology being used by Sussex Police should make a real impact.
鈥淭he technology is getting so advanced it鈥檚 got to help and the enthusiasm of the officers using it is clear to see.鈥�
Drone use has increased rapidly in recent years to aid Sussex Police鈥檚 efforts to catch and convict criminals and search for missing people.
Benefits include:
- Enabling police to search large rural areas more quickly.
- Helping police to utilise resources more effectively.
- Enhancing the safety of the public and emergency services by deploying drones in dangerous areas.
- Providing good quality evidence to assist apprehension and prosecution of offenders.
Mr Strong said: 鈥淲e are having some big issues with rural crime in Sussex, particularly with quad bike theft and hare coursing at the moment, but the rural crime team is doing its best and working with us as much as they can.
鈥淲e spoke today about the police using farms as a base for drone pilots and that regular police presence in itself will deter criminals.
鈥淭his is another great example of the positive relationship between the police and Sussex farmers.
鈥淭hey have got our backs and anything we can do like this to help the police and help ourselves has to be a good thing.鈥�
"The technology is getting so advanced it鈥檚 got to help and the enthusiasm of the officers using it is clear to see."
NFU County Chair Andrew Strong
Farmers also took the opportunity to speak to Sussex Police Rural Crime Team Sergeants Ed Bowles and Tom Carter about the issues they are facing.
Sgt Bowles said: 鈥淲e started using drones in 2014 and their use has increased each year.
鈥淒rones are an invaluable resource. The technology is improving all the time, and they are an extra tool we use in fighting rural crime.
鈥淭he ongoing work we do with the farming community, like this, is really important.鈥�
The drone demonstration event was held on Friday 25 October as part of the national Rural Crime Action Week.