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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Abu to be incredibly angry about a drone flying over my garden??

181 replies

Splandy · 14/07/2016 21:25

I have seen a drone flying over mine and my neighbours gardens for the past six months or so. Found it mildly annoying but it was a fair distance from my windows so didn't think about it too much. I could hear it tonight when i was in my garden. Looked around for it and it 'saw' me, so clearly has a camera attached. It stopped whizzing around and hovered above me, below the roof of my house, watching me. I am so fucking angry right now. Both rooms facing onto the garden have patio doors, so this person could potentially be watching me in my own home.

I called the police and they gave me an appointment for Monday. Yeah have since called back telling me that there isn't an offence being committed, so the appointment will be cancelled and the neighbourhood team may contact me instead. But may not. I told him that I'd easily found information online stating that a drone cannot be flown within 50 metres of a person, which it definitely was, but it made no difference. What if it had crashed into my house, which it was incredibly close to? What if it crashed into me?? I also believe I have a right to privacy on my own property. Made no difference, appointment cancelled. Am I supposed to just accept being fucking spied on in my own home and garden? I don't even open the blinds in my kitchen because i value my privacy and can easily be seen there, but have to accept that somebody can film me and my kids???

OP posts:
flightywoman · 15/07/2016 19:23

I'd get on to the Information Commissioner. There's plenty of guidance and legislation for drones and what they can and can't do. Plus I bet it doesn't have a notice telling you who to contact for the footage of yourself.

And I bet they aren't registered with the ICO as a data processor...

This link is some introductory information ico.org.uk/for-the-public/drones/

This contains a section on drones - called UAS - ico.org.uk/media/for-organisations/documents/1542/cctv-code-of-practice.pdf

And the CAA suggests phoning the police on 101 if you have a complaint as they don't deal with complaints.

But either way the drone operator is not following best practice.

I hope you get it sorted OP.

GarlicStake · 15/07/2016 19:39

I've just read an article in a local paper from last summer - a toddler lost an eye when a poorly-controlled drone sliced his face open.

A few stories about very obviously perving UAVs as well. All, naturally, rubbished by drone pilots who reckon the world just needs to keep up with technology Hmm

Must admit I love a gadget, and these things are super-cute. But, now I've read the regulations, there's nothing I could legally film that I'd want to film! My blog will have to continue with wobbly hand-held videos.

Cheddarella · 15/07/2016 20:20

I love these gadgets too! We are on order for a "selfie" drone called the Lilycam. The operator has the homing disk which the drone follows. I'm hoping it'll be fun for the DGS and we'll get some good videos to watch in years to come. The best part of it is you can't make it spy on other people...unless you slipped the homing disk into their pocket without them knowing it! Hmm

1ittlegreen · 15/07/2016 20:28

I was at The Eagles Nest on Saturday (like you do) and at the top of this awe and fear inspiring mountain there was a drone flying around. There was a twat couple sitting on a rock watching the drone broadcast live images to their phone. INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT THE STUNNING VIEW WITHOUT A THIRD PARTY. They were surrounded by beautiful mountains and gazing at a tiny screen whilst the annoying thing buzzed around. All the other people up there had just been to the museum below and no one was really speaking, everyone was horror struck by what they had just read and seen and I'm sure people wanted to contemplate in the eery silence. Instead we were all treated to the loud buzzing of a middle aged man toy. Oh, and a few pouty girls taking selfies like 'Hey yay, selfie at Hitler's lair' swish hair .

Op, may be a way to squirt it with cooking oil which might fuck up the electronics and camera? My son has a super soaker which has a good 10m range! YANBU.

2boysnamedR · 15/07/2016 20:42

I like the FB idea. I'd photo / record it and post to the local FB groups saying it was perving on you and the kids. Ask if anyone knows who it is as it seems to be casting your house and kids and you can't think of a innocent reason why anyone would keep coming back month after month for innocent reasons.
Luckily never seen one here but if I did it would super soaked for sure

Cynthesizer · 15/07/2016 20:54

I wanted to clarify that the OP's description of the drone's behaviour ("seeing" her, hovering to look at her) implies that it is feeding a live feed back to it's controller. Yes many drones just cruise around and you download the video later, but those won't fix their "gaze" on a person and hover, how could they, if their pilot doesn't know what they see? Toy drones aren't intelligent by themselves, they don't deliberately stop to look in windows at people, so it is probably a live controlled one. The owner probably knows exactly what they are directing the drone to look at so I would be careful about your revenge.

I don't know your neighbourhood but if you are worried about scary people then remember they'll know who did it and where you live. An accomplice might be safer while you distract it, or an "accident," if you must take it into your own hands ;)

But I do think you can escalate it to the police and I still think you should film it if possible, as a warning/deterrent and also as evidence.

Nanny0gg · 15/07/2016 21:03

From our local paper a while ago:

A police statement said users should make sure they know how to control the devices and stick to the strict rules set out by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Drones should only be used up to 120 metres, they must not be flown at night, through clouds or fog, and they must remain within sight and no more than 500m from their operator.
They may not operate over or within 150 metres of any residential area.

I don't think the police you spoke to were as helpful as they could have been...

StarryIllusion · 15/07/2016 21:20

I think it has to be a neighbour op. It's actually quite hard to send a drone out of sight, especially in the dark unless you know the area and flight path well. The camera isnt that useful for navigation because it can only see what's directly in front/underneath it. It doesn't really have peripheral vision iykwim. So it's easy to get disoriented, misjudge your spacial awareness and crash it if you can't actually see it. If they're flying it in the dark, I reckon they can see it from a window or somewhere. They don't usually have huge range either I'd be asking the neighbours, personally.

MalcolmTuckersEyebrows · 15/07/2016 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RepentAtLeisure · 15/07/2016 21:39

If the drone is expensive, then a few attempts at disabling it will probably make the owner avoid you - supersoakers, lazers, etc. It doesn't matter f you miss, just have a go!

MapMyMum · 15/07/2016 21:46

Supersoaker, or could you attach a hose to your kitchen sink if its close enough to the back? Whoever it is is a modern day peeping tom...

Armi · 15/07/2016 21:51

Make a sign quoting the regulations or, as others have suggested, saying, 'I have informed the police about your behaviour. They will contact you. ' Stand facing the drone and hold the sign. Look directly at the drone with no facial expression. Keep staring until it pisses off.

DressedToExpress · 16/07/2016 05:48

Next time they are nearby put up a big sign saying FUCK OFF! I HAVE CALLED THE POLICE ABOUT THIS HARASSMENT and see if that scares them off. Even if police are being shit about it, that might be enough to scare off a geeky teenager.

DressedToExpress · 16/07/2016 05:50

Yes, or perhaps do what Armi suggests. Much more effective without the swearing! Although I feel it's warranted and I'm so angry for you.

murmeli · 16/07/2016 06:41

Sounds horrible. I would get photographic evidence of it flying and go back to the police. There are laws on stalking and voyeurism; I would go in with that argument, quoting the trial of the 3 police officers who were charged doing something similar with police helicopter. You are being stalked/spied on by peeping tom in your own home Angry

000PuraVida000 · 30/07/2017 20:50

Buy your own drone and fly over neighbours to work out who it is

SamanthaUnkim · 30/07/2017 21:38

If you do go Supersoaker, put a little salt into the water to guarantee a short circuit

MaidOfStars · 30/07/2017 22:28

I have a baseball bat under the bed. Would have no qualms about using it.

Stoptherideiwannagetoff · 30/07/2017 23:14

Go for the LED light... apparently it interrupts the controls and they fall to the floor (unofficially advised by friendly pc). Would be such a shame if you owned a dog which then 'got hold of it' crunch crunch.....

steff13 · 30/07/2017 23:49

This thread is a year old; the OP has probably resolved the issue by now.

TheMaddHugger · 31/07/2017 06:31

Zombies there be

Abu to be incredibly angry about a drone flying over my garden??
Abu to be incredibly angry about a drone flying over my garden??
Abu to be incredibly angry about a drone flying over my garden??
Ktown · 31/07/2017 06:52

Give your kid a super soaker or use the hose if it is close.
Stick some oil and water in the super soaker so you don't see it for some time.

DoublyTroubly · 31/07/2017 07:04

I would print out leaflets and put in all the neighbors doors to warn them of this. Something like "warning: there is somebody flying a drone over our gardens and looking in the windows. I am concerned that this is a perv (especially as I have a young child that was naked indoors at the time) or a burgler staking out the property. It is illegal to fly a drone within 50m of a residential property so if you spot it please report to the police on 101"

Hopefully that would fill the dual purpose of making your neighbours aware that this is happening and making the perpetrator aware that it is illegal

DoublyTroubly · 31/07/2017 07:04

Also, it would be anonymous if you're scared of retribution

Notreallyarsed · 31/07/2017 07:07

I was about to suggest a paintball marker but actually that's classed as a firearm so supersoaker with salt sounds better!