Do you fly a drone do not fall foul of UK Law

Drone with Camera

So you have had a drone for your Birthday, Christmas or just for fun, has it got a camera then watch out for the law. Both the ICO (information commissioner's office) and the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) have issued guidlines for there us and whether you need permission to fly one.

The ICO guidelines are based around the privacy issues involved with drones and cameras, the
 CAA 's   issue is with permission to fly the vehicle. Basically the ICO say that if you are libel to intrude on someones privacy then you can not fly the vehicle in that area. The CAA's  say

You must request permission from the CAA if you plan to:

• fly the aircraft on a commercial basis (i.e. conducting ‘aerial work’)
  or
• fly a camera/surveillance fitted aircraft within congested areas or closer (than the distances listed within Article 167) to people or properties (vehicles, vessels or structures) that are not under your control  

 Articale 167 taken from  Air Navigation: The Order and the Regulations CAp 393

167
(1)
The person in charge of a small unmanned surveillance aircraft must not fly the aircraft
in any of the circumstances described in paragraph (2) except in accordance with a
permission issued by the CAA.
(2)
The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are:
(a)
over or within 150 metres of any congested area;
(b)
over or within 150 metres of an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000
persons;
(c)
within 50 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control
of the person in charge of the aircraft; or
(d)
subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), within 50 metres of any person.
(3)
Subject to paragraph (4), during take-off or landing, a small unmanned surveillance
aircraft must not be flown within 30 metres of any person.
(4)
Paragraphs (2)(d) and (3) do not apply to the person in charge of the small unmanned
surveillance aircraft or a person under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft.
(5)
In this article ‘a small
unmanned surveillance aircraft’ means a small unmanned aircraft
which is equipped to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition


So as you can see contravene one of these and you could find yourself in trouble though I hope not.


Source
 CAA Do I need a Permission for an Unmanned Aircraft (UAS)?

ICO