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The National Churches Trust
UK News

Drones used by church insurer

Ecclesisatical Insurance has begun a trial to see how effective the machines are in surveying tall buildings.

Until now, people on ladders have been used but this is not safe above a certain height and scaffolding is expensive.

Cathedrals, for example, have towers, turrets and spires at great height and which need to be inspected.

Paul Franklin from the company told Premier: "What we're really looking to do is understand how we can use this type of technology which is to support our customers even more. And we're looking at ways of better understanding the buildings and risks that we insure so that the advice we can give to our customers is even better."

The trial has been carried out on four buildings, a church, a cathedral. a school and a stately home.

Franklin said the trial has been a success: "I think we're fairly confident that the data that we have gathered, we can use by applying our own expertise and knowledge to that. And I think it's something we will be using much more widely - we certainly have the capability now to use this where we think it can add value for both our customers and ourselves."

Some of the issues identified by the drones have been loose roof slates and damaged pointing.

On the school that was inspected, the drone found a number of footballs, rugby balls and tennis balls, some blocking the gutters of the sports hall.

Use of drones is strictly regulated and in some cases permission is needed from the Civil Aviation Authority.

There have been reports of criminal gangs using drones to assess the amount of lead on church roofs before stealing it.

Listen to the full interview here: 

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