MEMBER for Oxley Michael Kemp has launched a new community petition calling on the NSW Government to expand its PolAir-Remote Drone program and bring remotely operated police drones to the Mid North Coast.
Mr Kemp says the technology could give local police another tool to respond to crime across a large and often difficult-to-access area.
The call comes after a NSW Police drone trial in Moree, which Mr Kemp says helped reduce crime by around 50 per cent and assisted police with more than 100 arrests, the recovery of 70 stolen vehicles and the location of six missing people.
The figures have been cited as evidence that drones could have a practical role in regional policing.
Mr Kemp believes that, for Mid North Coast residents, the proposal could be particularly relevant given the size and spread of communities across the region, where police can be required to respond to incidents over considerable distances and through difficult terrain.
Mr Kemp said remotely operated drones could help officers track alleged offenders, locate people and gather information before police enter potentially dangerous situations.
“This technology can give police an extra set of eyes in the sky when they need it most,” he said.
He also pointed to 2025 BOCSAR statistics, which he said showed Kempsey Shire ranked second in NSW for motor vehicle theft and third for break-and-enter dwelling offences.
Those figures highlight the concerns about property crime in parts of the region, although the petition is ultimately seeking a broader policing capability rather than targeting one particular type of offence.
Mr Kemp said drones could also reduce the need for police to become involved in dangerous pursuits.
“Every time we can reduce the need for a dangerous pursuit, or give police more information before they enter a property, we are making policing safer for everyone,” he said.
The petition is intended to demonstrate community support for the proposal and encourage the NSW Government to consider the Mid North Coast for the next expansion of the program.
“We cannot simply accept these crime rates as the status quo,” Mr Kemp said.
The community petition is now open for residents who want to support the call for police drones in the region.
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