GMPs £80,000 balloon scrapped
A large balloon used by Greater Manchester Police for surveillance has been scrapped as it wasnt able to be used sufficiently due to the citys weather conditions.
A large balloon used by Greater Manchester Police for surveillance has been scrapped as it wasnt able to be used sufficiently due to the citys weather conditions.
The balloon, known as the Eagle Eye Blimp that cost the force £80,000 when bought 18 months ago, has been broken up and parts sold off.
The force said the balloon was used 18 times while in its ownership but would not disclose the purpose, nor would they say how much they received from the sale of parts.
It carried the words POLICE down the side, was installed with numerous cameras and could be deployed within 20 to 30 minutes of being called upon.
Head of Greater Manchester Police`s Specialist Operations Branch, Chief Superintendent Dave Anthony, said: “We experienced a number of technical and other problems with the blimp and it was decided, especially in the current climate, that it was neither cost effective nor operationally viable to maintain.
“We have been able to recycle various parts of the blimp that have been put to operational use while the vehicle itself has been sold.”