MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK police using drones to watch livestock at night to prevent illegal sheep butchery

Using the drone’s thermal image technology and flying no higher than 400ft, its operators can monitor large rural areas.

Operation Stock is Northamptonshire Police's response to such incidents. Using the drone’s thermal image technology and flying no higher than 400ft, its operators can monitor large rural areas.

The technology can detect any heat sources such as livestock, people or vehicles, shown up in bright yellow. If any suspicious activity is spotted, the operators can liaise with officers on the ground to check it out.

The investigation is also supported by officers from the Rural Crime Team, Neighbourhood Policing Teams, CID and more. As the investigation into the illegal slaughter incidents continues, the force is reminding anyone who sees anything suspicious to call 101 quoting ‘Operation Stock’, or 999 in an emergency.