New York, Mayor Bloomberg, Unmanned Surveillance Drones, London deployment?

Pardon the pun. I don't want to drone on about unmanned surveillance micro-aircraft, writes London journalist Paul Coleman.

But crime-fighting surveillance drones are set to be an inevitable part of New Yorkers' lives. According to New York's elected Mayor Bloomberg, the New York Police Department are very keen on the idea.

   The Obama administration's military drones already kill terrorists in places like Afghanistan. Alarm centres on the number of civilians killed by drones - fatalities termed 'collateral damage' by the military.

Mayor of 'Londrone'

Still, the drone industry flies high. But serious worries hover over whether New York surveillance drones would be used not just to target criminals but civilians engaged in lawful activity - such as political protest.

   London has imported many New York exports in the recent past.

Burgers.

Rap.

Crack cocaine.

Starbucks and elected mayors.

So, expect soon to see our elected Mayor of 'Londrone' buzzing around TV studios to hum about the merits of the Metropolitan and the City of London Police using flying surveillance machines in the fight against crime and terrorism.

Paul Coleman, London Intelligence, March 2013