Concerns over privacy as sales of drones soar this Christmas
The CLA say their members are concerned drones could be used to aid thefts.
As sales of drones are predicted to reach an all-time high in the North East this Christmas, some say our privacy could be breached.
The Country Land and Business Association say their members have raised concerns over the use of drones near farms and businesses.
It's feared the drones could be used to aid thefts by revealing equipment and out-houses that could otherwise be concealed from public view.
Dorothy Fairburn is the North Regional Director of the CLA and says while drones are fun, people must be considerate of people below.
She said: "We don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun over Christmas, but the growth in the availability of drones with high resolution cameras for consumer use, rather than industry, presents a significant risk to privacy and requires action.
“Earlier in the year we put forward workable proposals for regulation reform, and we will be pressing the relevant authorities in Europe and within the UK to address this issue. “I urge those buying drones as gifts for friends and families to use common sense and follow the CLA’s top tips when operating them in order to ensure both public safety and privacy.”
It's as the sales of high street drones have risen by a quarter already this year in the lead up to Christmas.
Electronics dealer Maplin say they've sold 10,000 drones over the past 12 months.
Steve Robins works for Heliguy, who train North East drone users, he says more education would help.
He says: “I think we probably need to enforce the existing regulations for hobbyist drones a bit more, or certainly educate in a better way.
"The problem is, that people can buy a drone straight out of the box, you know what people are like they want to play first and look at the instruction manual afterwards.
"Perhaps by then it’s too late.”