Specialist drones were deployed by police in Kent more than 600 times last year, including during seven murder inquiries.

They also helped officers locate 16 missing persons, and 28 alleged offenders as the technology continues to help officers catch criminals.

The figures were revealed in a recent report from the force which looked into the increased use of drones and assessed how they were being used to improve investigations.

It found officers used the technology more than 600 times during the course of the year, up 48% on 2021, to help them safeguard people across the county.

Last March, two offenders attempted to hide in a wooded area at night at the bottom of a steep bank near the railway tracks in Sittingbourne.

Even with torches, officers could not see the suspects until they were within touching distance.

However, the drone‘s thermal imaging capabilities overhead meant the suspects were easy to spot, which led to their arrest.

In mid-August last year, a drone helped detectives locate someone in distress, who needed urgent medical treatment.

Without the drone’s support and thermal imaging, officers would not have found the woman as swiftly as they did.

Drones have also been used in helping officers tackle more high-profile crimes including seven murder investigations during 2022.

Footage from drones was stitched together with CCTV, dashcams, video doorbells, mobile phones, and 3D Scanning footage, to create a more complete picture of events that led to major breakthroughs in investigations.

Ch Supt Simon Alland, said: "Drones have proven to be a force for good and are invaluable tools at our disposal.

"Their implementation has improved our ability to locate suspects and missing persons, and our speed in doing so.

"Drones have also afforded us access to a perspective and footage that could increase the likelihood of solving crimes.

"The inclusion of drones into future operations will allow us to provide better support to officers on the ground, through increased situational awareness and improved decision-making."