merseyside
Latest
Uber comes to Liverpool and the entire Merseyside region
While Uber's currently being scrutinised over its employment practices, and the UK's High Court closes in on a decision of whether the service is even operating legally in the capital, the ride-sharing firm has never been one to let drama slow it down. After its last major expansion into Bristol, Sheffield and several smaller towns in June, today Uber's bringing its ride-hailing service to Liverpool and the rest of the Merseyside region. Only the basic uberX vehicles are available in the area at launch, and Uber's offering the curious £15 off their first trip with the inventive 15OFFMERSEYSIDE promo code. Perfect timing if you're planning to go out out this weekend -- with a cheap cab on the cards, you needn't feel too guilty about having that "one final drink" and missing the last bus home.
UK police drone grounded for flying without a license
As you know, the Merseyside (UK) police department finally nabbed a suspect with its £40,000 (roughly $63,000) drone recently -- an announcement that was accompanied by backslapping and hearty cheers all around. But what happens when the police run afoul of the law? According to the BBC, the vehicle has been grounded by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under guidelines enacted in January stating that UAVs weighing over fifteen pounds need permission to fly within 164 feet of people and 492 feet of buildings. A spokesman for the coppers said "all Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flights have been suspended and will remain so until the appropriate license has been granted," but don't worry Britons: you should still be able to rest easily at night knowing that you're still the most surveillance-happy nation in the history of the world. Cheerio! [Thanks, Gringomoses and Ben]
UK police nab teen using $30,500 drone
Wired recently reported that the UK Home Office is preparing a national fleet of unmanned aircraft, but the surveillance-loving island nation has had a keen interest in drones for quite a while. Now, Merseyside police (who've had a drone of their own for about six months) are bragging about their first ever catch with the new toy. When coppers heard that a suspected car thief was hiding in the bushes, they wasted no time launching their Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with on-board thermal imaging -- which led them to the sixteen year old. In addition to the (alleged) perp, a twenty year old man was arrested in connection with the crime -- but his apprehension was done without aid of the UAV and, as such, not nearly as bad-ass. Both have been released on bail pending further inquiries, and both are believed to be looking into purchasing Parrot AR.Drones for themselves. You gotta fight fire with fire, right? Update: According to the BBC, the thing cost closer to £40,000 (roughly $63,000). That's still a lot of moneys!
