A BUDE mother has voiced her concern about the use of drones, after one was flown very close to her property.

Her family recently caught a drone flying up and down at the back of their house, which immediately alarmed the mother as she thought it was using a camera to see if someone could potentially burgle their house.

What made it even more frightening was that the drone seemed to be hovering around the baby’s bedroom window, and the three-year-old daughter would also have been visible.

The mother said: “I didn’t hesitate, I called the police straight away and reported it. I felt I had to in case other people on or around my road had a similar experience, and may have contacted them too.”

The family were informed of some of the rules regarding the flying of drones. After knocking on some nearby doors, the father discovered that it was, fortunately, a neighbour using it, who had no idea of the rules and regulations surrounding the use of drones and was extremely apologetic.

The mother added: “I was so glad it was them. It was 100% innocent and I contacted the police to drop my log. However, I do feel that the public need to be made more aware of the rules somehow.”

According to Devon and Cornwall Police, drones are still a new stage of technology, and many people are unaware of the rules around drone usage. According to the rules and regulations surrounding the use of drones, an individual is not allowed to fly their drone within 50 metres of a person or a building without them being informed, and the landowner’s permission is needed before a drone is flown and about to land.

A police spokesperson said: “We, as a force, will look into reports such as these, and will attempt to give words of advice to the user of the drone where suitable, but owners of drones must take responsibility and understand the rules and regulations set out by the Civil Aviation Authority in relation to drone usage.

“If not, they run the risk of finding themselves in hot water with the police, and possibly find their equipment confiscated.”