Police are set to be given powers to prevent the unsafe or criminal use of drones as part of a new package of legislation being introduced by the government.
The measures which could see the banning of drones around airports,flying more than 400 feet high and a crack own on using them for illegal means are intended to allow drone users to continue flying safely and legally, helping to place the UK at the forefront of the fast-growing drone industry.
This will also pave the way for the devices to be harnessed for a range of uses by businesses and public services say the government.
The draft Drone Bill, which will be published next spring, will give officers the right to order operators to ground drones where necessary.
Officers will also be able to seize drone parts to prove it has been used to commit an offence.
New measures will also make it mandatory for drone owners to register to improve accountability.
And drone operators will be required to use apps – so they can access the information needed to make sure any planned flight can be made safely and legally.
Banning drones from flying near airports or above 400 feet could also form part of the new regulations.
The news comes as funding for a pioneering new drones programme is announced to help cities shape the way this new technology operates and the benefits it brings.
Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg said:
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 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.
