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West Australian Police Will Now Use Drones To Enforce Social Distancing Rules

West Australian Police Will Now Use Drones To Enforce Social Distancing Rules

It will help broadcast messages up to one kilometre away to ensure people are sticking to the rules.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Western Australia police have unveiled their new tool to ensure people adhere to social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic.

Officers will soon deploy drones around the state, which will be used to broadcast public announcements.

The force released an image of the technology, while saying: "These announcements will be made in public spaces such as beaches, parks or café strips, in which groups of people may not be adhering to social distancing and mass gathering rules.

"The drones will be highly visible, fitted with flashing lights and sirens, similarly to that of a police vehicle. They will be capable of broadcasting a message to a range of up to 1km.

"We will be able to rapidly deploy this resource to public areas when required and significantly improve the communication coverage, compared to that of a police officer on foot.

"The drones will allow the WA Police Force to continue to reinforce the serious nature of the environment we are in.

Western Australia Police added that it will also keep officers safe distances away from people who could be infected.

Western Australia Police/Facebook

Prime Minister Scott Morrison introduced restrictions on social gatherings to two people or fewer in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

People can cop an on-the-spot fine of up to $1,000 if they're caught breaking this rule.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said: "I understand this is extreme and draconian, this is not normal but we want to send a message to people.

"The primary objective is to reinforce the serious nature of the environment we're in."

Western Australia Police/Facebook

More than 200 police officers have been deployed to patrol the streets of Western Australia.

However, this drone technology will allow them to check public places much quicker than they would on foot.

WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson told Radio 6PR: "We all have to take this really seriously, but we're concentrating chiefly on gatherings and the self-isolation elements, this is because there has been a really strong emphasis on social distancing, but we've seen when people are not taking it sufficiently seriously.

"We need to target people who do not understand if you're walking around in close contact with each other, you're not getting the message, so we will enforce it."

Featured Image Credit: WA Police

Topics: News, Coronavirus, Australia