Yahoo News A2 and M20 drone patrols launched to fight crime
Drone patrols have been launched on two major Kent roads to fight crime. The A2 and M20 are under the watchful eye of Kent Police drones to help deter and detect incidents of criminal damage to moving traffic.
Additional patrols, including unmarked vehicles, are also being utilised. It comes after motorists reported being targeted whilst driving on the A2 near Darenth and on the M20 near Snodland.
These were both reported to have occurred on the evening of Thursday, November 7, 2024. The incident on the A2 involved objects being fired from an area adjacent to the carriageway at around 5.50pm, causing the windows and bodywork on several vehicles to be damaged.
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Officers are not linking those reports to others received between 9pm and 10pm on the M20. There, a number of drivers reported their vehicles being struck by items that had possibly fallen from a nearby bridge.
Chief Inspector Craig West of Kent Police said: "Throwing or firing items at moving traffic is incredibly dangerous and it is fortunate nobody was injured as a result of either of these incidents. Anyone found to have been responsible for putting road users in danger can expect to be arrested and brought before the courts.
"I would like to assure motorists that we are taking the reports seriously and have increased our patrols in the areas surrounding the affected sections of the A2 and M20. This includes the use of drones with thermal imaging cameras that are being used to monitor footpaths and wooded areas, and will allow officers to respond quickly to any suspicious activity.
"Volunteer officers from the Special Constabulary have also been assisting us."
Anyone with information about either incident is urged to report it online at www.kent.police.uk/report quoting reference 46/189304/24 for the A2 or reference 46/190243/24 for the M20. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or by completing the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
