Police accessed filmfrom ‘drone’ for NWinvestigation in 2012

Sky Watch said it handed over to the PSNI in Coleraine footage from one of its drones in August 2012. The PSNI were searching for missing man Dean Patton.

The charity said the request to search was made by Dean’s family. The film was handed over to Coleraine CID for analysis, it says. Meanwhile Farms Minister Michelle O’Neill said her official considered an offer of assistance from Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol during the recent snow storms. The offer was declined because there was sufficient air reconnaissance capacity and ground intelligence in place. “However, we would consider the use of Sky Watch aircraft in future emergency planning strategy with its application being dependent on the nature of emergency,” she said. The Policing Board has approved the PSNI purchase of two drones.