Drone operators urged to stay away from proposed Universal Studios theme park
Notices are warning that flying drones over the site will lead to a criminal offence
A notice warning drone operators to stay away from the site of the proposed Universal theme park near Bedford has been published on the development’s website.
The “cease and desist” notice, dated March 10, warns that flying drones over or near the site could amount to a criminal offence or lead to civil action.
It cites the Air Navigation Order 2016, which makes it an offence to recklessly or negligently endanger people or property with an aircraft, including drones.
The notice said: “Operating a drone over the construction site may constitute such an offence, punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.”
The notice also refers to potential legal claims such as trespass, harassment and misuse of private information.
Drone operators are told to stop flying near the site immediately and remove any identifiable footage of workers already published online.
The notice said: “The publication of footage identifying personnel on the
construction site may constitute harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, actionable as both a civil wrong and a criminal offence.”