Rural businesses have called for tougher rules on drone use to protect privacy of property owners in the countryside.
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has responded to the Press Association story which reveals the number of incidents reported to police involving drones trebled between 2014 and 2016.
The number of incidents in the UK involving drones reported to police has increased more than twelve-fold over the past two years.
Complaints, including allegations of snooping, burglary “scoping” exercises, mid-air near-misses and the smuggling of contraband into prisons, rose to almost 10 a day (3,456) last year, compared with 283 in 2014. Last year’s figure was almost three times higher than the 2015 total of 1,237 incidents.
Sales of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), available for as as little as £30 and often containing built-in cameras, have risen sharply in recent years but as their popularity has increased so have concerns about their use.
'Real concern'
Representing landowners, farmers and rural businesses, the CLA has set out its concerns over the inappropriate use of drones and privacy issues with the Government.
CLA President Ross Murray said: “The use of drones both commercially and for recreation is growing fast. The sector has huge potential to benefit a wide range of industries but we need regulation to keep pace.
“An increase in the use of recreational drones with cameras is causing real concern to farmers and landowners over their privacy, the potential for damage to property and the safety of people and livestock on private land.
“We need reassurance that drones being flown over private property or land are being done so legally, professionally and safely. The CLA has called for compulsory registration and insurance for drones, along with a change to the Civil Aviation Act 1982 to ensure permission from the landowner is required before recreational drones can be flown over private land.”
Farmers have concerns with recreational users flying surveillance drones of up to 20kg over their houses, gardens and fields which can cause a feeling of invasion of privacy.
There is currently no requirement for training or an assessment of capability for recreational drone users.
