Following the mass disruption caused at Gatwick airport, police will be given extra powers to combat any future incidents involving drones. The new measures, which roll out through the entirety of the country, includes plans for Police to be able to seize, land and search drones.
The drone sightings affected over 1,000 flights out from Gatwick airport and in response the government will begin to test the use of counter-drone technology to prevent any similar incidents in the future.
“The police will have the power to search premises and seize drones — including electronic data stored within the device — where a serious offence has been committed and a warrant is secured,” the government wrote in a press release yesterday.
New technology will enable police to detect drones flying around sensitive sites and provide a range of responses to those drones.
The exclusion zone around airports, including Bournemouth Airport, in which drones are not allowed to enter, will also be extended by an additional three mile radius.
Police will also be able to issue penalty notices for those who commit minor drone offences. Fines of up to £100 will be issued to those who fail to comply with a police officer instructing them to land a drone, or failing to provide a valid registration to operate one.
The new fixed penalty are in place to ensure effective enforcement of new vital rules in regards to drone operation and this will mean anyone in the Dorset area who is flying a drone, will have to abide by the new legislation, in order to avoid the fines.
Military grade counter-drone technology enabled Gatwick to re-open its runway after the drone sighting, reports state the airport had to spend over £5 million on technology to prevent future incidents.
No arrests have been made police in connection to the drone incident at Gatwick, after a suspected couple were released without charge on the 23rd of December.
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