Police warning over UAV gifts this Christmas

The UAV has been described as the must-have toy this Christmas but Sussex Police is urging people who receive them to check they stay on the right side of the law when they send them into the sky.

The use of UAV is covered by strict rules set out by the Civil Aviation Authority, the organisation that regulates aircraft and air traffic controllers across the UK.

If you commit an offence such as endangering an aircraft, flying a UAV too close to a building or operating one too close to a crowd users can be fined thousands of pounds.

Inspector Mark Callaghan, from Sussex Police, said: “We would hate for people to have their Christmas ruined by them getting into trouble because of their favourite present.

“We really don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun but a UAV could endanger an aircraft if it gets in its way while it is taking off or landing - and it will hurt if one of them crashes into you.

“That is why there are restrictions on who can fly a UAV and where they can be flown and I would encourage anyone who gets one to make sure they know the rules before they put them in the air.”

For guidance on what you can and cannot do with a UAV, visit www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?CATID=1995.