VULNERABLE women walking home at night could be guarded by drones armed with thermal cameras under plans submitted to the Government.

       Women would be able to use a phone app to summon a flying escort to arrive within four minutes to protect them from sex attackers.

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       Vulnerable women could be protected from sex attackers by drones armed with thermal cameras Credit: Getty

       The ￡35,000 drones would come armed with a powerful spotlight and thermal cameras to scare off would-be sex attackers and stalkers.

       The AI-powered system is set to be tested on a university campus to protect students and staff - but its inventors say they could replace police helicopters at a fraction of the cost.

       It was created by a team of former police officers and Civil Aviation Authority experts developed by Drone Defence, reports the Sunday Telegraph.

       Founder Richard Gill said the trial at Nottingham University aimed to show the Aeroguard drones were a cheaper, quieter and greener alternative to protect the public than police helicopters.

       Helicopters cost police forces up to ￡3,200 an hour and take a five-strong crew to deploy.

       The former Army intelligence officer’s system is set to be submitted for funding to the Government’s Innovate research programme for boosting cutting-edge tech.

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       The drone system’s AI would be able to track phone signals flying at 200ft monitored from a control room by a qualified pilot ready to take over if necessary.

       It would shine its spotlight on the attacker to deter them and film them for any potential prosecutions.

       Mr Gill said: “We aim to get a prototype off the ground in Nottingham for ￡500,000.

       “It is a high-capability drone that costs just ￡100 an hour but can do 80 per cent of what a police helicopter can do.

       "It cannot do high-speed pursuits but it can do the other tasks such as searching for people and ground surveillance.

       “It will take about a year to put together as a proof of concept that drones can provide support for people at a fraction of the cost and in minutes rather than tens of minutes.”

       How you can get help

       Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:

       Always keep your phone nearby. Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine. If you are in danger, call 999. Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”. Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare. If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone. Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

       If you are a -victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support -service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.

       Women’s Aid provides a live chat service - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.

       You can also call the freephone 24-hour -National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.