United Kingdom

We already reported on a new law coming into effect in the UK, that would grant police officers more powers to ground drones and to increase the criminal penalties associated with flying drones in an unsafe or illegal manner. Well, today we are one step closer to that new reality for hobbyist and commercial drone pilots in the United Kingdom, as the Department for Transport has announced a raft of new police powers as part of a crackdown on the civilian use of drones.

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According to a transport minister, there have been more than 50 near-misses between drones and manned aircraft, including this one at Gatwick Airport, during the last twelve months in the United Kingdom. Drone users will face new restrictions starting in 2018. A new proposed law will likely give the police new powers to land drones suspected of involvement in criminal activity and will restrict drone use near airports.

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