Drones may be used to fight crime in Qld

A Townsville politician says he wants police to use drones in their efforts to curb a crime crisis in the north Queensland city.

Labor MP Scott Stewart has reportedly put forward his proposal to Police Minister Mark Ryan who will raise the left-field idea with senior police on Thursday.

Mr Stewart says drones are considerably cheaper than helicopters and can be launched from within seconds from a police vehicle, reports the Townsville Bulletin.