Local authorities across Britain have assembled fleets of drones and are training up staff as pilots so they can snoop on residents.
More than 60 councils around the UK have staff certified to operate unmanned aerial vehicles.
An additional dozen councils have approached the Civil Aviation Authority for “guidance” on drone regulations.
CAA data shows how city, borough and district councils have all trained up drone pilots.
But the actual numbers may well be higher – records only capture those who disclosed their employer sponsored their training.
The councils’ drone drive has sparked serious concerns over surveillance.
Jake Hurfurt of Big Brother Watch said: “There may be a role for drones in helping councils monitor flooding or conduct land surveys, but local authorities must not use the technology as spies in the sky.
“Britain is already one of the most surveilled countries on Earth. With CCTV cameras on street corners, we do not need flying cameras too. Councils must make sure that they do not use this technology for intrusive monitoring of their citizens.
“Just because it’s possible, it does not mean it’s something they should do.”
The councils’ drone drive has sparked serious concerns over surveillance
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PA
Hammersmith and Fulham council is set to deploy drones as part of its 70-man-strong “law enforcement team”, which issued more than 2,200 fines last year.
The west London borough plans to use the UAVs to combat fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour – despite flight restrictions from nearby Heathrow Airport and Wormwood Scrubs Prison.
A report by the council found police “do not have sufficient officer numbers to provide a visible deterrent in all cases or take the desired action”.
As a result, council drones and CCTV, some of which will use live AI facial recognition, can “help combat crime and anti-social behaviour”.
Sunderland operates Britain’s largest known fleet, with 13 aircraft, eight qualified pilots and two additional staff in training.
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Sunderland operates Britain’s largest known fleet, with 13 aircraft, eight qualified pilots and two additional staff in training
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PA
The council’s extensive drone programme has prompted worries that trained operators might be recruited by other local authorities seeking similar capabilities.
Sunderland’s website states their drones are deployed to “detect and prevent crime and disorder, investigate reports of environment crime and carry out enforcement investigations” alongside monitoring public gatherings.
Further south, North West Leicestershire operates two drones for fly-tipping investigations and planning enforcement, and has used aerial evidence in multiple prosecutions.
Stockton on Tees has eight drones and five trained pilots on call to carry out infrastructure assessments and “antisocial behaviour monitoring”.
Newcastle’s three pilots operate two drones. While these are primarily for surveys, the council is planning to expand into antisocial behaviour surveillance.
North Norfolk uses four coastal monitoring drones to “record imagery of large-scale planning or enforcement disputes.”
Thurrock, meanwhile, has been given the power to use them to “detect and prevent crime”.
Though Tendring council has explicitly declared it “will not use a drone for any surveillance footage,” limiting its three devices to communications and marketing.
