Police powers to Stop and Search for Drones.

[Soledamcer]

• From March 2019 _ "UK government to give police new anti-drone misuse stop and search powers - to include confiscation". Taking a drone out for fun is beginning to feel like carrying a knife on the streets of London. It will only take one complaint to potentially lose your drone. And It's not just that incident, if there's any dubious flights in your log, the law will be able to find them. Just making everyone aware of this? As much as we try to fly legally, it can often be difficult to stay on the right side of very complex or ill-considered laws, no matter what they relate to.

 

[Chazzaa]

Could you post a link please?

 

[Soledamcer]

Could you post a link please?

New drone safety partnership with business launched as government sets out plans to limit drone misuse

 

[FoxhallGH]

This isn't really going to work or be a major issue for Drone pilots until November when all drone users (over the weight limit) are going to need to carry and show registration on their drones ... Otherwise, what are they searching for? It's not like you are flying your drone with it concealed in your Jumper!
I don't think this is going to be based on 'complaints' - unless the complaint accuses the Drone Pilot of violating CAA reg's, and the Officer attending doesn't get to see registration paperwork (post November).
That said ... I think this is mainly to combat the misuse of Drones near an Airport ... The Police need something that gives them the rights to search for a drone in a back-pack, if they are trying to chase perpetrators when there has been an incident like at Gatwick. The ability to put a Mavic in a lunch-box means that it's pretty easy to conceal and there has to be some legislation that allows the Police to stop and search if they have suspicions. If you are unlucky enough to be in the vicinity of a 'Gatwick-like' incident, and you have your 'innocent' drone in the back of the car - then that is going to be a tough one ... The question is going to be "Do they take your word for it when you show the flight logs?"