Electronic birds to patrol Beijing

Beijing's 17 million residents will soon be looking up to the sky for policemen - they will be patrolling the city in four helicopters later this month, police officers said yesterday.

Those trapped in suburban mountainous areas or those who need urgent evacuation to hospitals, will be able to rely on the helicopters, Liu Guifang, deputy director of the city's special police unit, which will oversee the helicopter team, said.

These "big electronic birds" will also be used for traffic control, ground support, high-speed car chases, evidence collection at accident sites, and high-altitude photography, Liu said during a media visit to the helicopter base.