Drone tracks down stolen moped from Arnold in Netherfield using thermal imagery

A police drone pilot used a thermal imaging camera to find a stolen motorcycle from Arnold travelling through Netherfield.

Police were alerted when the moped was reported to be travelling along Victoria Road, at around 2am on Friday.

During a subsequent search of the area a suspect matching the description of the rider was detained, but the bike was nowhere to be seen.

A police drone was then used to scour the local area and soon detected a heat source in a nearby car park.

Further investigation revealed the motorcycle had been placed under a cover – obscuring it from view but not from the drone’s thermal imaging camera.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft.

The moped, stolen earlier in the week from Arnold, is awaiting return to its lawful owner.

Sergeant Vince Saunders, chief drone pilot at Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This is another excellent example of the unique capabilities of our drones and the real world results they can deliver.

“Without the assistance of our thermal imaging technology, we may not have been able to recover this vital piece of evidence.

“I am pleased that on this occasion our pilot was able to help colleagues on the ground in this way.”