- In the UK, police drones are under the control of whether or not citizens comply with the lockdown. Drones record images from public places and upload them to Twitter as examples of things that shouldn't be done.
Several departments of the State Police have broadcast on Twitter the videos that have been recorded by the drones. In the videos you see people walking around the dog or playing sports. The police consider that these actions are not essential and instructs them to stay at home.
Despite posts yesterday highlighting issues of people still visiting the #PeakDistrict despite government guidance, the message is still not getting through. @DerPolTrailersUnit have been out at beauty spots across the county, and is footage was captured at #CurbarEdge last night. pic.twitter.com/soxWvMl0ls
— Derbyshire Police (@DerbysPolice) March 26, 2020
Not only that, but also a vigilance has been launched via Twitter and it has taken care of whoever publishes in that social network some message or photo that breaks the measures.
Hello @SKinnock we know celebrating your Dad’s birthday is a lovely thing to do, however this not essential travel. We all have our part to play in this, we urge you to comply with @GOVUK restrictions, they are in place to keep us all safe. Thank you. §cy
— South Wales Police | #StayHomeSaveLives (@swpolice) March 29, 2020
People complain about police actions like former Supreme Court judge Jonathan Sumption. Sumption says that the measures approved by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, allow sport to take place on the street, and that the police are doing that because some ministers have said that they prefer people not to do sport on the street. “The police have no competence to strengthen ministers’ claims, they just have to put in place legal measures,” he says.
Sumption has defined the current situation in the United Kingdom as "a police state". Similarly, Colm O´Cinneide, professor of human rights at University College London, has pointed out that in some cases the police are taking action for political reasons and not for legal reasons.
Not just in the UK
The coronavirus crisis has been exploited by several States, including Israel, France, Spain, South Korea, to take control of population movements. Although the use of drones has not been so widespread, there are other examples at the international level, as is the case in Catalonia. The Municipal Police of Parets del Vallés (Barcelona) has started using drones so that people on the street can go home and take their temperature.
"is a measure that has been applauded by the population" pic.twitter.com/OxTJfrwEYr
— Quique Badia Masoni (@qbadiamasoni) April 1, 2020
In several Italian localities, the movements of citizens are also controlled by means of a drone.