USE OF DRONES BY CRIMINALS ?

USE OF DRONES BY CRIMINALS ?

USE OF DRONES? - An incident occurred in the Tarrants area recently were horseriders saw a suspicious car, with no number plates, and persons both in the vehicle and standing nearby. They were trespassing with no obvious lawful reason to be where they parked. The riders saw that they were operating a Drone.

When challenged the car occupants were evasive and slowly made off. The riders were obviously concerned the Drone users were acting without good intent!

Dorset Police gets lots of queries regarding Drones. We also have our own in-force Drone Unit. Drones have potential to provide a lot of fun as well as commercial uses. Unfortunately they are also used by criminals , ( eg passing illicit materials/drugs into Prisons. etc ).

The Metropolitan Police Provide the following information on Drones:

" A drone is a remote-controlled aircraft that doesn’t have a pilot on-board. Drones range from small children’s toys to large military systems. This includes remote-controlled model planes and helicopters.

There are different rules for different types (categories) of drone flight. The categories depend mainly on the weight of the drone, where you intend to fly, and how close you will be to people and built-up areas (towns and cities).

The Drone and Model Aircraft Code

The Drone and Model Aircraft Code is like the Highway Code for drones. It was created by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and it tells you how to fly a drone legally and safely.

Registration

The operator

The operator of a drone is usually the owner.

If a drone is not owned by a single person, then a designated person known as the manager is the operator. For example, if a club owns a drone that members can use, then the club must designate a manager for the drone.

If you are the operator you must register with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and get an OperatorID if the drone:

weighs over 250g or

has a camera that can take photos or record video

You must clearly display your OperatorID on every drone you own or manage.

Toys

You don’t need an OperatorID for a drone that is classed as a toy.

Your drone is likely to be a toy if:

maker or shop describes it as a toy

you bought it from a toy shop

it is marked as suitable for under 14s

it was advertised or packaged to attract children

The pilot

Anyone flying (piloting) a drone that weighs over 250g must pass a basic test with the CAA to get a FlyerID. They must carry their FlyerID details at all times while flying.

Some categories have extra requirements for pilots.

Insurance

You need insurance if:

you are not using it for sport or recreation – for example you are using it for work or

your drone weighs over 20kg

Insurance must be at least EC 785/2004 standard.

Flight rules

This summary of the rules applies to most drone flights. But you must make sure you know which category your drone is in and exactly which rules apply.

Don’t endanger anyone or anything while flying a drone.

You must be able to see the drone (including the space around it) at all times.

Don’t fly if you’ve drunk alcohol or taken drugs.

Respect other people’s privacy, and know what you can and cannot do with photos and videos.

Don’t fly:

over crowds (known as ‘assemblies’ in the rules)

over 400ft (120m) from the ground

in Restricted Airspace, for example near aerodromes, unless you get permission

where fire, police or ambulance services are responding to an emergency, unless you get permission

Depending on which category of drone you’re flying you may need to stay at least:

50m away from crowds and other people

150m away from built-up areas (towns and cities)

The law

The laws on flying drones are part of the Air Navigation Order 2016.

In the law:

a drone is called an Unmanned Aircraft (UA)

the whole system used to fly a drone (including the controller or mobile app) is called an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)

the Drone Operator is the person or organisation that owns or manages the drone

the Drone Pilot is whoever is actually flying the drone

The most important sections of the rules for drones are articles 265A to 265F, which are the rules on Drone Operators, Drone Pilots and Flight Categories.