A FAMILY in Cofton Hackett say they have been left feeling threatened and violated after a discovering a drone flying at the back of their home.
The resident noticed the drone flying over the back garden and close to his home after hearing a whirring noise.
He followed the flight of the drone as it flew away and was piloted to a person further along their road where it was picked up.
The pilot then drove away in a smart black BMW.
He called police shortly afterwards to express concern about the possible motives of the drone user.
He was extremely concerned as the only reason for the drone to be there was for spying on the property.
The resident was worried an attempt was being made to ascertain valuables at the property, check out security measures or even carry out some kind of sinister act of voyeurism on his family due to it being the time they family were getting up and dressed in the privacy of their home.
He said: “My additional concern was how many other times has it been there without our knowing.
“This could have happened many times before and who knows for what purpose?
“It has left us feeling very paranoid.”
He said it was not an isolated case – there was another drone sighting, possibly the same one, made three days later by other homeowners in the same area and reported to the police and a drone was heard 11 days later.
The Standard has been contacted to see if any other residents in Cofton Hackett, Barnt Green, Blackwell or other local areas have had similar experiences.
Sgt Steve O’Neill, from Bromsgrove Safer Neighbourhood Team, said, while there were many legitimate reasons for drone use, he fully understood the resident’s concerns and confirmed police were investigating.
“We are in the process of contacting the registered keeper of the vehicle which was spotted.”
Anyone who has had similar encounters with drones or concerns about flights can contact police on 101.
