Police will be given fresh powers to stop and search and to access drone electronic data
It is intended that flying drones within 5km (3.1 miles) of an airport is to be outlawed next month. Ministers decided to widen existing no-fly zones in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the Christmas chaos at Gatwick.
From March 19th the enlarged zone will come into force, and that will be followed by legislation giving police powers to stop and search those they believe are misusing the drones, both the devices themselves and the electronic data stored on them.
In December Gatwick had to shut for more than a day after drones were sighted near the airfield, causing disruption to approximately 140,000 people.
The new exclusion zone will ban drones from within 5km of the end of the runways. Ministers also said they would work with the retailer Jessops as part of a national campaign to help educate the public about responsible drone use.
Chris Grayling, the current transport secretary, said: "The law is clear that flying a drone near an airport is a serious criminal act. We're now going even further and extending the no-fly zone to help keep our airports secure and our skies safe.
At present the Home Office is reviewing the UK's approach to countering the misuse of drones via new, undisclosed, technology.
E&K Solicitors
Rusholme
0161 256 3915