FURIOUS residents have been told ‘no crime has been committed’ after a member of the public flew a drone over gardens and schools, before posting the footage on social media.

Residents in Hook as well as Hook Infant and Junior Schools reported the matter to the parish council and police after becoming aware that a person was flying a drone over their gardens and the two schools. 

The footage was posted on social media and residents asked the person responsible to remove the video because they said it showed their private back gardens.

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When they refused, saying “gardens are not private”, residents and the schools reported the incident to Hampshire Constabulary.

However, the police have responded to say “no crimes have been identified”.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said it received a report on Monday, April 17 relating to drone activity taking place in the Hook area.

They added: “It was reported that local schools and gardens had been filmed and the footage was subsequently shared on social media channels.

“Officers have obtained copies of this footage and following a thorough assessment, no crimes have been identified.

“Officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team have spoken to the drone pilot and provided advice. We encourage people to continue to report any suspicious drone activity to us by calling 101 or reporting information online at hampshire.police.uk.”

Peter West, data protection officer at Hook Infant School, and Mr Grant, business manager at Hook Junior School, said: “We have been made aware by members of the local community that a drone equipped with a video camera was flown over the infant and junior schools over the Easter bank holiday weekend and the resulting footage posted online.

“Although no images of people were featured, we are very concerned and disappointed that this has taken place without the prior permission of the infant school or junior school. Having taken suitable advice, we have reported the issue to the police and written to the individual requesting that the footage is removed.”

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One resident, whose child attends Hook Infant School, said the person who posted the footage requested to meet her after she asked them to remove the post.

She declined the invitation, and said: “Why is someone filming primary schools and putting it on social media? They have been asked repeatedly by local residents to not film people’s houses and to take down the footage.”

The mother-of-two added: “They talk about protection and freedom of speech and say the school is a public building in the public interest. I asked them to take it down but anyone who disagreed, this person asked to meet with them."

Another resident said the community is “outraged”. He added: “[This person] finds it acceptable to use a drone to film neighbouring properties which annoys residents… residents are mad with them.”

Sarah Dignan, clerk to Hook Parish Council, said the issue had been brought to the council’s attention and was discussed at a meeting.

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She added: “The council understand the level of nuisance to and concern of residents, however it has no enforcement powers in relation to drone flying. Advice sought from the local PSCO confirmed that there appears to be no criminal offences evident in the footage.”

The Civil Aviation Authority has rules for drones flown in the UK based on the risk of the flight – where you fly, the proximity to other people, and the size and weight of the drone.

The key rules include never flying more than 120m (400ft) above the surface; always keeping a drone or model aircraft in sight; and never flying in an airport’s flight restriction zone unless you have permission.

It urges drone pilots to “consider the privacy of others” and lists what can and cannot be done with footage obtained by a drone.

The Drone Model Aircraft Code states: “If you use these devices where people can expect privacy, such as inside their home or garden, you’re likely to be breaking data protection laws.”

Pilots are asked to know what their drone’s camera can do and what images can be taken to “reduce the risk of taking photos or recording videos that invade privacy”.

It adds: “Avoid sharing anything that could be unfair or harmful to anyone. Think carefully about who could see your photos and videos – especially before posting them on social media.”

A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority said: "If the police do not believe an offence has been committed, no further action will likely be taken."

The person flying the drone has not responded to a request for a comment.