Security

Home Office releases UK Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Strategy

Posted 21 October 2019

The Home Office today released the UK's new strategy for harnessing the economic and social benefits of unmanned aircraft, by reducing the risk posed by malicious or illegal use.

Click here to view the UK Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Strategy

The rapid development of drone technology presents significant commercial and leisure opportunities.

However, drones can also be used to facilitate and commit crimes and if flown recklessly or negligently can pose a risk to public safety.

The UK Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Strategy sets out the Government's approach to mitigating the highest-harm risks to the UK resulting from the illegal use of aerial drones.

These include:

facilitating terrorist attacks
facilitating crime, especially in UK prisons
disrupting critical national infrastructure (CNI)

A new mobile counter-drone unit will be created, containing detection and disruption equipment, which can be deployed by police and other emergency responders to protect major events and rapidly respond to drone incidents across the UK.

The strategy also includes:

the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill, announced in the Queen’s Speech, which will give police increased powers to tackle illegal drone use
a new national standard for police recording of illegal drone activity to help build a picture of the drone threat
national guidance for police to assist them during malicious drone incidents
the government’s ongoing work with industry to research and test the latest counter drone equipment so that police across the country are able to respond to threats – building on the work already done across government
over the next 3 years, the government will work with partners to compile a catalogue of approved counter-drone technology to assure police and the owners and operators of critical national infrastructure sites that they are investing in the most effective and appropriate technology
a government communications campaign to educate the general public and continue to encourage safe drone use
Earlier this year it was announced that from 30 November 2019, every operator of a drone weighing more than 250g will need to register with the Civil Aviation Authority and all remote pilots will have to have passed an online competency test

Security Minister Brandon Lewis said: "This government is proud of the UK’s burgeoning drone industry and we will do all that we can to ensure that the UK firmly establishes itself as a world leader in this industry.

"But to ensure the drone industry can thrive in this country we must be able to crack down effectively on those who would use drones to cause harm or disruption.

"There is no silver bullet to help protect our infrastructure and our citizens from malicious or careless drone use. That’s why this Strategy outlines a broad range of work to ensure we can effectively tackle the threat."

The use of unmanned aircraft has grown significantly in recent years and the industry is expected to contribute an extra £42 billion to the UK economy by 2030, with more than 76,000 commercial and public sector drones expected to be in use by this date.

However, this also increases the risks of malicious use. Latest statistics show there were 168 police recorded drone incidents in England and Wales in 2018, and 165 drones were recovered at prisons in 2016 and 2017.

Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: "Unmanned aircraft, including drones, could transform how we move people and goods, boost our economy and even save lives. Unfortunately, they can be, and have been, used recklessly at airports and in our skies.

"The UK has been at the forefront in tackling the malicious use of unmanned aircraft. This strategy, alongside existing and planned legislation, will let us tap into the benefits of this technology while helping keep people safe both in the air and on the ground."

PwC has estimated that rising use of drones in business and public services could contribute £42 billion to the UK economy by 2030 and see more than 600,000 related jobs.

ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said: “The strategy announced today by the Government rightly recognises the huge potential benefits of drone use to society and our national prosperity.

“There are also risks from malicious use of drones that must be addressed and this strategy recognises that industry engagement should be central to making sure that regulation is effective and proportionate.

“We welcome the Government’s intention to share more information on threats and vulnerabilities to help focus and encourage investment in the innovation and development that can make the UK a pioneer in this exciting market.”

Today ADS has published a policy paper on Counter Drone Technologies giving a detailed overview of risks from malicious drone use and technologies available to tackle it.

Click here to view the ADS policy paper Counter Drone Technologies