How to Report Illegal Drone Activity in the UK

When to Report Drone Activity

Not every drone flight you see is illegal. Before reporting, consider whether the drone activity you have witnessed actually appears to breach the law. Situations that typically warrant a report include:

• A drone flying near an airport, airfield, or in an area where manned aircraft are operating
• A drone hovering over your property or appearing to record through windows
• A drone flying very close to people, vehicles, or buildings in a way that appears dangerous
• A drone operating at night without appropriate lights or permissions
• A drone being used to deliver contraband (for example, to a prison)
• A drone being operated recklessly in a crowded area or at a public event
• A drone following or tracking a specific person without their consent

Who to Contact

Police — Emergency (999)

Call 999 if the drone poses an immediate threat to safety, such as:

• Flying near an active runway or in the path of aircraft
• Being used to threaten or intimidate someone
• Appearing to be involved in criminal activity in progress

Police — Non-Emergency (101)

Call 101 for non-urgent reports, such as:

• A drone that was seen flying over residential properties earlier in the day
• Repeated drone flights over your property that you believe constitute harassment
• A drone that appeared to be flying illegally but is no longer present

Civil Aviation Authority

The CAA accepts reports of drone incidents through its online reporting system. This is appropriate for:

• Airspace breaches that did not involve immediate danger
• Operators appearing to fly without registration
• Commercial drone operations that appear to lack appropriate authorisation

Information Commissioner's Office

If your primary concern is privacy — such as a drone recording you or your property — you may also report the matter to the ICO, which handles data protection complaints.

What Information to Gather

When reporting a drone incident, providing detailed information helps investigators respond effectively. Try to note:

• Date and time: when the incident occurred, and how long the drone was present
• Location: as precise a location as possible, including street name, landmark, or GPS coordinates
• Direction of flight: which direction the drone came from and where it went
• Description of the drone: size, colour, number of rotors, whether it had lights, and any visible markings
• Description of the operator: if you could see the person controlling the drone, note their appearance, clothing, and where they were standing
• Vehicle details: if the operator arrived by vehicle, note the make, colour, and registration number
• Photographs or video: if you can safely capture images of the drone or operator, these can be valuable evidence
• Altitude estimate: how high the drone appeared to be flying

What Happens After You Report

After receiving your report, the authorities will assess the situation and take appropriate action:

1. Assessment: the police or CAA will evaluate the report to determine whether an offence may have been committed
2. Investigation: if justified, an investigation may be opened. This could involve reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses, or examining registration databases
3. Enforcement: depending on the outcome, the CAA may issue a Fixed Penalty Notice, or the matter may be referred for prosecution
4. Feedback: you may be contacted for additional information. However, detailed updates on the progress of an investigation are not always provided to the initial reporter

Reporting as a Pilot or Air Traffic Controller

If you are a pilot or air traffic controller who has observed a drone in controlled airspace or experienced a near-miss, report the incident through:

• The UK Airprox Board, which investigates airborne conflicts
• The mandatory occurrence reporting system (MOR), as required by regulation
• Your airline or ATC unit's internal safety reporting system

Important Considerations

When reporting or responding to illegal drone activity:

• Do not attempt to shoot down, jam, or physically interfere with a drone — doing so may constitute a criminal offence itself
• Do not attempt to follow or confront the operator, particularly if you suspect criminal activity
• Focus on gathering information safely from a distance
• Keep your own safety as the first priority at all times