The Government has announced plans for a draft Drone Bill, which will be published next spring, which will give police the powers to prevent the unsafe or criminal use of drones as part of a new package of legislation.

The measures are intended to allow drone users to continue flying safely and legally, helping to place the UK at the forefront of the fast-growing drone industry. This will also pave the way for the devices to be harnessed for a range of uses by businesses and public services.

The draft Bill will give officers the right to order operators to ground drones where necessary. Officers will also be able to seize drone parts to prove it has been used to commit an offence.

New measures will also make it mandatory for drone owners to register to improve accountability. Drone operators will be required to use apps – so they can access the information needed to make sure any planned flight can be made safely and legally.

Banning drones from flying near airports or above 400 feet could also form part of the new regulations.

The news comes as funding for a pioneering new drones programme is announced to help cities shape the way the new technology operates and the benefits it brings.

Dr. Mirko Kovac, Aerial Robotics Lab at Imperial College outlining drone technology to Baroness Sugg

Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg said:

“Drones have great potential and we want to do everything possible to harness the benefits of this technology as it develops.

“But if we are to realise the full potential of this incredibly exciting technology, we have to take steps to stop illegal use of these devices and address safety and privacy concerns.

“These new laws strike a balance, to allow the vast majority of drone users to continue flying safely and responsibly, while also paving the way for drone technology to revolutionise businesses and public services.”

The government will publish the draft Drone Bill for consultation and introduce secondary legislation amendments in spring 2018. Changes to the Air Navigation Order will mean that:

• drone users will have to sit safety awareness tests
• users of drones weighing 250 grams and over will in future have to be registered
• The government is also working closely with drone manufacturers to use geo-fencing to prevent drones from entering restricted zones.

The Flying High Challenge, funded by the government and run by Nesta in partnership with Innovate UK, is being launched today when cities will be invited to register their interest.

Up to 5 cities will be supported in the research and development of drone technology which could transform critical services in – for example, emergency health services and organ transport, essential infrastructure assessment and repair, and parcel delivery and logistics.

Tim Johnson, Policy Director at the Civil Aviation Authority said the CAA has been working with Government and the aviation and drone industries to educate drone operators by promoting the Dronecode , which provides an easy to follow guide to UK drone rules.

The Flying High Challenge will collaborate with up to five cities across the UK to shape the future of drones and drone systems.

Run by Nesta’s Challenge Prize Centre, in partnership with Innovate UK, the Flying High Challenge is the first programme of its kind to convene city leaders, regulators, public services, businesses and industry around the future of drones in cities.

The Challenge will:

• Shape city plans on the future of drones in UK cities, exploring specific applications of drones within cities and hazardous environments.
• Identify and address key complexities such as technology, infrastructure, law, regulations, safety and privacy.
• Detail technical and economic plans that unlock market opportunity through regulatory testbeds, open innovation technology challenges and live, real-world demonstrations.