Police could seize your expensive drone if you don't abide by the government's new rules
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Loading... - Maya Conte
- 27 Nov 2020
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A newly proposed law will bring in even more rules around owning and flying drones in the UK.
It will give police more power to confiscate the expensive gadgets if they're being used in an unsafe or criminal way - such as being flown over a prison.
According to the government, the Drone Bill will improve accountability and "give officers the right to order operators to ground drones where necessary."
It also states that: "officers will also be able to seize drone parts to prove it has been used to commit an offence."
The law is set to be published in the spring and will make it official that any drone weighing more than 250g will have to be registered and its owner will be required to sit safety awareness tests.
Other rules will prohibit the gadgets being flown over 400 feet or anywhere near an airport. Several more no-fly-zones (such as Hyde Park in London) are also likely to be included.
"Drones have great potential and we want to do everything possible to harness the benefits of this technology as it develops," explained Baroness Sugg, the UK minister for aviation.
"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 and 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."
The Drone Bill announcement comes at the same time as a new project looking at how drones could be used to benefit cities in the UK.
Local authorities are being asked for their ideas on how drones could be put to use in their areas, such as for transporting medical supplies, working in hazardous conditions including fires and floods, or monitoring pollution.
The Flying High Challenge is being run by charity Nesta and Government agency Innovate UK and hopes to help put the country at the forefront of the "fast-growing drone industry".
Cities, councils and Local Enterprise Partnerships are being invited to share their ideas - and the challenge will see five suggestions explored to see if they could operate locally.
Tris Dyson, executive director of Nesta's Challenge Prize Centre, said: "If we are going to have drones in our towns and cities they must be fit for our society.
"By finding uses for the technology - beyond toys for hobbyists or used in conflict - the UK can establish itself as a world leader in drones.
"We need to commit to finding approaches that work at the local level and meet the needs of people without risk to public safety or nuisance."
Although drones are still expensive, they are coming down in price and some models, equipped with cameras and lights, can be had for under £100.
