AN EYE in the sky has been keeping watch over livestock overnight amid an epidemic of illegal sheep butchery.
Northamptonshire Police has been using the force drone to monitor farms as part of Operation Stock, its investigation into a number of reports of the illegal butchery of lambs and sheep across the county.
Using the drone’s thermal image technology and flying no higher than 400ft, its operators can monitor large rural areas, with any heat sources such as livestock, people or vehicles shown up in bright yellow.
If any suspicious activity is spotted, the operators can liaise with officers on the ground to check it out.
The drone patrols are being carried out alongside ongoing ground patrols and community engagement by officers, who are also linked in with neighbouring forces who have seen similar incidents.
As the investigation continues, the force is reminding anyone who sees anything suspicious to call 101 quoting Operation Stock, or 999 in an emergency.
