AS WE share our boundary with 14 neighbours we have always been happy to return the variety of balls, frisbees, kites, etc, which regularly come over our walls.
However, Boxing Day afternoon was a first for us, when a drone landed on the top of one of our trees. This was a ‘toy’ given to a local child at Christmas, and one of thousands I imagine received as presents, with drone use in the UK growing rapidly. I love new gadgets, and drones are cheap, quick to get in the air, and can be operated by smartphone or tablet. The thrill is so much more than, say, operating a model aircraft, as having a flying camera.
However, rules to deal with their potential dangers are slow to be drawn up. Existing rules – such as they are – already being ignored or flouted. Even small drones, weighing only a few kilograms, can easily cause damage or injury if they fall from a height. Thankfully no one was hurt in our incident, but I later heard from a neighbour who had complained of a drone hovering close to a bedroom window. This is of equal concern.
I understand that as we have no criminal privacy law in the UK, the police are simply not interested in any offences of voyeurism relating to the misuse of drones, and have therefore been relatively tolerant, although other legislation such as the Sexual Offences Act 2003 may be breached. 
At present it is perfectly legal for anyone to buy a drone, charge it up, go flying and take photographs. There is nothing we can do about it.
Whilst the CAA will doubtless introduce their own rules in due course to ensure that the operation of commercial aircraft is not endangered, and, of course, accepting that the likes of Amazon and Google are planning their own use of drones as part of their distribution and delivery networks, my immediate concern is that drones are clearly being flown in and around our villages and towns in a totally unregulated and unlicensed way. 
They are being given to children as toys, with little knowledge of aviation rules, and whilst I do not want to appear a killjoy, I do want to be reassured that they are being flown sensibly and legally, and not posing a risk to other aircraft, people or animals. Or a threat to our privacy.
FRANCIS HINKS
Church Street
Hilperton