The incredible work of our pioneering Drone Unit will be seen in unprecedented detail in a major new TV documentary series starting next week.

Channel 4’s Sky Coppers shows the huge range of jobs that the dedicated team deploy to, from helping to locate vulnerable missing people, to searching for fleeing or hiding suspects, to scouring for potential victims in burning buildings.

The show’s cameras spent months embedded with our Drone Unit to give an insight into the highs and lows of life on the team.

The series, made up of six hour-long episodes, will air from 11 July at 9pm on Channel 4, with episodes going out every Tuesday.

All episodes will be available as a boxset on Channel 4’s on demand service immediately after the broadcast of the first episode.

Sgt Keith Bennett, who features in the show, said: “I’m immensely proud of the team, and their achievements. 

“They have worked tirelessly over the past few years to embed the use of drone technology into every day, frontline policing.”

“We are passionate about the use of drones to fight crime and protect the public, and I am confident that the series will showcase how drones are used for good within our communities, 24 hours a day.”

Chris Hardy, from series producers North One, said: “We were very grateful for the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the team at West Midlands Police for the filming of the series. 

“Working alongside the Drone Unit proved to be an unforgettable experience with a very dedicated and professional team. I think people watching from home will be fascinated by not only the vast number and different type of incidents this unit are sent to, but also how important an asset the drone is in investigative policing. 

“I would also like to thank the West Midlands Police for the care and attention they showed in assuring not only the welfare of the people with whom we filmed, but also the wellbeing of our filming teams – some of whom went out on some particularly challenging cases.” 

Will Rowson, Commissioning Editor of Channel 4 documentaries, said: “We’re very grateful to West Midlands Police and the team on the ground for allowing us to follow their work. 

“Sky Coppers offers such an interesting insight into how policing is evolving and I think audiences will be fascinated to see the many varied and innovative ways in which the technology is being deployed.”

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Drones Lead at the National Police Chiefs Council, added: “Drones are a highly effective, safe and cost-effective tool to support frontline policing. There are currently nearly 400 drones being used by forces across the UK. 

“The West Midlands Police drones team, who have been at the leading edge of trialling how drones can be used to support incidents, are demonstrating how effective drones can be. I am excited for the public to see, for the first time, the added value this capability brings to officers on the ground.  

“The NPCC Drones portfolio works closely with the team at West Midlands Police and forces across the UK, to develop drone capability further and are exploring new and innovative ways to help reduce crime and keep the public safe.”

Keep following @dronesWMP on Twitter for updates, including the first trailer for Sky Coppers.