Mandatory registration of new drones and a new criminal offence for misusing them are among measures proposed by the Dept for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure the enormous developing market for drones is matched by strong safeguards to protect the public.

Other measures proposed in ‘Benefits of drones to the UK economy’ include

• new signs for no-fly zones at sensitive sites such as airports and prisons

• tougher penalties for illegal flying near no-fly zones

• a requirement to make drones electronically identifiable

The market for emerging drone technology is projected to be worth £102bn by 2025.  Drones are already being used by emergency services, transport and energy providers and conservation groups to improve services, respond to incidents and save lives.

15 January 2017