Drones seized in Liverpool after breaching Labour conference airspace

Drones seized in Liverpool after breaching Labour conference airspace

Drones have been seized by police after they were flown in breach of airspace restrictions during the Labour party conference in Liverpool.

Merseyside police said they seized three drones on Saturday after a temporary airspace restriction covering much of Liverpool city centre was put in place.

The restriction means it is an offence for any unmanned aircraft to fly at less than 2,000ft above sea level in the specified area between 10pm on 20 September and 5am on 26 September, without the explicit permission of Merseyside police.

In a post on social media, Merseyside police said: “We seized three drones in Liverpool today, Saturday 21 September, as they were being flown in breach of restrictions put in place for the duration of the Labour party conference taking place in the city this week.”

Drone users flying inside the restricted airspace that have not been granted permission could be prosecuted, as well as have their equipment seized and confiscated, police said.

Ch Insp Iain Wyke, of protective security operations at Merseyside police, said: “Our policing plans for the Labour party conference are extensive and take into consideration land, sea and air.

“These airspace restrictions, like other security measures we will have in place such as road closures or patrols on the River Mersey, are aimed at keeping delegates and the wider public safe.”

Source: theguardian.com