Lords ask: how can the civil use of drones be policed?
How do the police intend to tackle the illegal use of drones? Have operators ever been punished for flying drones illegally? How can the police make use of drones themselves?
On Monday 17 November the Lords Committee investigating the civilian use of drones in the EU will put these questions to the Metropolitan Police, as part of a session looking at the role of the police in drone use.
The House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on the Internal Market, Infrastructure and Employment is looking at EU regulation on the civilian use of drones.
At 4.15pm on Monday Chief Inspector Nick Aldworth, Chief Inspector Operations, Metropolitan Police, who is working on the Met's drone strategy, will answer questions from the Committee.
The questions he will face on Monday include:
- The increased civil use of drones has raised fears about invasions of privacy, and a new potential physical threat to people and property. Are these fears justified?
- What is the relationship like between the police and the Civil Aviation Authority in terms of regulating the use of drones?
- Are the organisations sufficiently resourced to address the issues?
- Have the police, or any other authority, successfully prosecuted anyone for the misuse of drones?
- What sanctions are available to the police?
- What uses could the police have for drones?
- What impact would EU regulation have on the police use of drones?
The evidence session will start at 4.15pm on Monday 17 November in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords.
The sessions will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and are also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.
