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Next-Gen Bomb Robots Are Victorian Police's Newest Recruits

Meet the new squad.

Three hi-tech bomb response robots will join the Victoria Police force as part of the state's increased investment in law enforcement technology.

The new additions are a result of what the Victorian government has coined their "law enforcement technology revolution," and will assist with surveillance, security and bomb disposal operations.

One of the robots, the 'Dragon Runner' (DR20), is already on the streets and was used by police during the Brighton terror siege, along with four new heavy-duty bomb suits.

The small DR20 is fast and agile allowing it to access confined spaces to rapidly evaluate suspicious packages or explosive devises.

The two larger robots will be deployed later this year.

Police Minister Lisa Neville told the media, "these next-gen bomb response robots will quickly become an important tool for the Bomb Response Unit, and will help protect the community and brave, hardworking police."

The new hi-tech bomb disposal robots will help Victorian Police respond to the evolving challenges of modern security.
Newspix via Getty Images
The new hi-tech bomb disposal robots will help Victorian Police respond to the evolving challenges of modern security.

The new robots and bomb suits were funded as part of the Labor Government's $596 million Public Safety Package, announced as a part of the Victorian Budget 2016/17.

This comes as up to 140 concrete anti-terror bollards were installed across a number of key Melbourne locations on Thursday. Barricades were also constructed in Sydney's Martin Place described by a City of Sydney spokesperson as a move to "to block vehicle access in response to security concerns".

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