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Spain eyes drone patrols to control border fences

The Local Spain
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Spain eyes drone patrols to control border fences
Photo: AFP

Spain’s interior ministry is considering using unmanned miniature aircraft to patrol weak spots along the border fence at its north African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.

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José Antonio Nieto, the Spanish Interior Ministry's secretary for security, this week confirmed interest in enlisting airborne surveillance at Spain’s land borders with Morocco.

Just days after hundreds of migrants forced their way into Spain by scaling the border fence, Nieto visited Aeorum, one of Spain's leading drove developers, to discuss the idea, reported Spain's ABC newspaper

The use of drones equipped with heat-detecting cameras could provide early warnings of groups gathering to mount an attempted assault on the fence and ensure extra security forces were called in to prevent it.

Spain has installed high fencing topped with razor wire at its land borders with Morocco in its north African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. But despite the tight security, migrants regularly breach the border fences to enter Europe.

READ MORE Trump's wall: Spain shows why US president is heading for trouble.

Last Monday more than 350 migrants stormed the border at Ceuta which is protected by a double wire fence six metres high and eight kilometres long.

Three days earlier around 500 migrants successfully breached the border, in the largest wave of arrivals in years.

Spain has been criticised by human rights groups for its treatment of migrants and refugees at the border

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