Alhama de Murcia strengthens Local Police with new vehicles and high-tech drones

The new equipment will be used for searches, traffic incidents and monitoring hard-to-reach rural areas, including during emergencies

Alhama de Murcia has added two new patrol vehicles and a set of modern drones to its Local Police force, to improve everyday surveillance and speed up response times when emergencies happen.

The new resources were presented by Mayor Rosa Sánchez, alongside some local councillors and the head of the Local Police, Damián Inglés, and members of the force. It forms part of ongoing work to improve policing across the municipality, whether that’s in the town centre, the surrounding districts, rural areas or during larger public events.

On the ground, the police now have a new rural patrol vehicle, a Toyota, designed for rougher terrain outside the main town. There is also a Seat Ateca patrol car for general duties. Both vehicles have been funded through regional subsidies and municipal funding, as part of a support programme for local police forces in the Region of Murcia.

Alongside this, two high-spec drones have been introduced. These are professional units fitted with thermal imaging cameras, long-range zoom and intelligent tracking systems that use artificial intelligence to help follow movement and identify targets more effectively.

Searches can now be carried out in complete darkness, which is particularly useful in rural areas or during emergencies where conditions are difficult. They can help locate missing people, detect movement through vegetation or hidden areas, and support operations in places that are not easy to reach from the ground.

They are also useful for reading number plates from a distance, tracking vehicles or individuals during incidents, and capturing aerial images that help reconstruct traffic accidents more accurately. During heavy rain, they can be used to check ramblas and rural paths, which can quickly become unsafe or cut off.

Locally, this is particularly helpful for search and rescue work in the countryside and Sierra Espuña, as well as during events like Los Mayos when the town sees larger crowds. They also help with monitoring issues such as illegal dumping, unauthorised land work or activity in rural areas that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Some officers are already trained to use the drones, with others still completing specialist training so the equipment can be used more widely across shifts.

The investment comes alongside the recent expansion of the CCTV system in the municipality, as part of continued efforts to modernise policing tools and improve prevention as well as response time.

Mayor Rosa Sánchez also took the opportunity to thank the Local Police for their work across Alhama de Murcia, recognising the role they play in keeping the area safe and supported.

Images: Alhama de Murcia Town Hall