UK POLICE are demanding new powers to crack down on the use of remote-controlled drones amid fears that they are being abused by Peeping Toms and could become a major public hazard.
The Mail on Sunday said that at least a dozen incidents involving unmanned aircraft have been reported since Christmas when thousands of people received the gadgets – which are fitted with cameras – as presents. Some complainants said they were flown outside bedroom windows. Tourists are also using drones to take “selfie” photographs in front of landmarks such as Parliament and the London Eye despite it being illegal to fly them near buildings and people.
Last week police in Paris arrested three Al Jazeera journalists for flying a drone. Landmarks have been buzzed by unidentified aircraft, sparking fears that they could be used by terrorists.
Drones have become a hugely popular way to take dramatic photos and video of homes, landscapes and cities from the air as they have become cheaper, lighter and now come with high-definition cameras. They cost as little as £50 (R900) for hand-held “toy” versions, while models that can be operated using a smartphone and capture high-definition video at a cost less than £500.
– Daily Mail