Seems The Authorities Were Operating Without The Authority

A UAS owned by the Merseyside Police has been grounded until its operators can be properly licensed, thanks to a law that went into effect January 1st.

The Merseyside police used the UAS, which set the city back a little over $63,000, was used just last week to catch a car thief in near zero visibility. The aircraft is equipped with thermal imaging technology which allowed it to track the car thief as he ran from the stolen car through one of England's classic fogs.

But the BBC reports that a law that went into effect on January 1st requires that the Civil Aviation Authority license all aircraft used to conduct surveillance missions. The law had previously been restricted to UASs weighing more than 15 pounds.  The also need permission to fly within 164 feet of people and about 500 feet from buildings. The CAA said any breach of the new law would be "treated seriously."

"Since the force has known of the change in regulations all Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flights have been suspended and will remain so until the appropriate licence has been granted," said a Merseyside police spokesperson. He said the CAA is welcome to inspect the UAS at any time, and to observe how it is operated.

The police force has been operating the UAS since November, before the law changed. The CAA says it is in the early stages of its investigation, but it does have the authority to fine the person operating the aircraft illegally.

Meanwhile, the two men nabbed in connection with the car theft made bail shortly after their arrest.

FMI: www.merseyside.police.uk, www.caa.co.uk