Police are launching Britain’s first 24-hour drone unit to pursue suspects, solver murders and help find missing people.
Devon and Cornwall Police has advertised for a drone manager to lead the new unit, which is set to launch this summer and will be shared with neighbouring Dorset.
Sussex and Surrey are also considering whether to set up full-time divisions and a total of 21 forces are experimenting with the technology.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Barry, national spokesman on drones, said he believed they would soon be rolled out nationally.
He said: “I would not be at all surprised if other forces follow in due course – the question is not whether they will, it’s when.’”
But the move has sparked fears that it could would lead to cuts in both officers on the beat and helicopter crews.
Ex-Scotland Yard officer Rory Geoghegan from the Centre for Public Safety said it would it would be “foolish to think that you can do away with the fundamentals”.
He said: “You need bobbies on the ground. It should never be an excuse to cut officers.”