Dutch police are involved in training birds of prey, like eagles, to take out drones flown by criminals and terrorists. The police, counter-terrorism agency NCTB and the ministries of justice and defence are working on a range of measures to combat drones. Video footage released by the police at the weekend shows an eagle grabbing a drone in its talons and bringing it to the ground. The project is still in test phase but a spokesman said there was a ''very real possibility'' that birds of prey could be used. ''The bird sees the drone as prey and takes it to a safe place, a place where there are no other birds or people,' project spokesman Marc Wiebes said. 'That is what we are making use of in this project.' '''Everyone can get hold of a drone, and that includes people who want to misuse them,'' police spokesman Michel Baeten told Nos TV. 'It is a multifunctional piece of equipment and that means you can launch an attack with them as well.' As well as raptors, officials are also looking into the use of high-tech detection systems and equipment which can remotely take over control of a drone. Another potential measure could be a drone which is programmed to fire at or capture an enemy drone. A decision on whether or not to use eagles to take out drones will be made in a couple of months.
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