The UK is looking set for tougher drone laws and prosecutions.
New measures are set to force drone owners to register their drones and all will be banned from airports unless operating with a valid CAA permission.
Anyone operating a drone for commercial use in the UK must have CAA approved and hold valid insurance at all times.
Changes to the (ANO) Air Navigation Order will introduce a safety test and the registration of drones weighing more than 250 grams.
New laws will mean police will have better powers to prosecute.
Assistant Chief Constable Serena Kennedy added: “Police forces are aware of the ever increasing use of drones by members of the public and we are working with all relevant partners to understand the threats that this new technology can pose when used irresponsibly or illegally.
“Do not take this lightly – if you use a drone to invade people’s privacy or engage in disruptive behaviour, you could face serious criminal charges.”
The new proposals may include using an app before you fly. The government are also worried about the huge number of drones that will take to the sky over the Christmas period.
The new draft Drone Bill which will be published spring 2018 and will give the police the right to order operators to land drones where necessary and seize SD cards and flight data to prove whether it has been used to commit an offence.
The new draft drone bill will be published next spring.
Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg added:
Drones have great potential and we want to do everything possible to harness the benefits of this technology as it develops. But if we are to realise the full potential of this incredibly exciting technology, we have to take steps to stop illegal use of these devices an address safety and privacy concerns. These new laws strike a balance, to allow the vast majority of drone users to continue flying safely and responsibly, while also paving the way for drone technology to revolutionise businesses and public services.
DSR has no doubt that the new drone bill will include operating a drone for commercial use without CAA permissions, this will be very welcomed by the ‘CAA approved’ drone community.
Prosecuting an illegal drone operator will be easier under new law.
