Drones could be drafted in to help police and other agencies in surveillance and search and rescue missions, the House of Assembly has heard.

Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, said on Wednesday that a specialist from the United Kingdom will visit the island next week to show how the technology can be used to assist the uniformed services.

The news came after a question from Ben Smith, a One Bermuda Alliance MP and the shadow national security minister, in the Budget debate on the ministry.

Mr Smith asked: “Has there been any further discussion on drone technology for the police service?

“Obviously, the technology in drones has become very specific and important across the globe in that it allows for policing, specifically at a level that you can’t always get with normal methods of trying to gain intelligence. “Is this something that we are continuing to look at and is this something that can potentially help our police force?”

He added: “It might be an initial outlay in cost, but it actually may reduce cost later because the man hours change when you are using technology to actually get to the result.”

Mr Caines told the House: “On Monday we have the national drones lead from the UK, Scott Bateman. He will be in Bermuda to demonstrate a range of drones technology options for the Bermuda Police Service and Government.

“Mr Bateman has recently worked with the Turks and Caicos Islands who have purchased a drone technology that will address multiple service needs.”