Local authorities in the UK have ramped up their use of drones, which is causing some people to worry about potential government surveillance. According to the civil aviation authority, over 60 councils have personnel trained to operate drones, and there are at least a dozen more that are looking to implement similar programs.
Experts believe the actual number of publicly funded drone operators might be even greater, as the CAA’s records include only those pilots funded by their employers.
A watchdog group called Big Brother Watch has claimed that local governments are embracing “spying from the skies,” which they argue further undermines civil liberties in a country already burdened with extensive CCTV surveillance.
Research director Jake Herfurt voiced concerns that while drones can be beneficial for legitimate purposes like monitoring floods and conducting land surveys, they shouldn’t be used as tools for unchecked surveillance. He emphasized the need for local authorities to be cautious, saying that, “the UK is one of the most-surveilled countries on the planet.” He pointed out that there are already cameras on virtually every corner, so aerial surveillance isn’t necessary at this point.
Herfurt noted earlier that the Metropolitan Police’s drone deployment lacked a clear framework governing their use, raising issues about transparency and the risk of drones being misused as surveillance tools.
He highlighted that without proper safeguards, drones could easily become instruments for monitoring public protests or other activities that should remain free from government oversight. “Just because it’s possible doesn’t mean they should proceed that way,” he said.
Despite these concerns, some councils, like Hammersmith and Fulham, plan to integrate drones into their enforcement teams, which already issued over 2,200 fines last year. The council believes drones will enhance efforts to combat anti-social behavior and assist with police staffing shortages.
Sunderland leads in this area, operating the largest known council drone fleet with 13 drones. These are utilized for various tasks, from deterring crime to enforcing environmental rules. Other councils across the UK, such as North West Leicestershire and Newcastle, are also exploring or already employing drones for a variety of monitoring and enforcement activities.
