Police issue warning notice to drone operator who filmed old police station demolition

A person filming the demolition of Wrexham police station last month has been given a warning by police.

Local officers said ” A warning notice was issued yesterday to a hobbyist who flew over Wrexham town. We will investigate offences reported to us and we will take action when appropriate. This includes prosecution and seizure of equipment for repeat offenders.”

In documents published by North Wales Police it appears the notice was give to an individual from Brymbo.

The notice reads, “You have flown a Mavic Mini within 150m of a congested area on the 1/11/20 in Wrexham. You flew a drone to record the demolition of the old police station. You flew in an irresponsible manner and endangered the three professional drones operating in the sky at the time. You endangered the public, police and demolition crew operating beneath at the time.”

The warning notice was offered ‘in the spirit of crime prevention, education and to advise’ and is not a court order nor conviction – but it held by police on record for six years. The recipient has signed it to confirm they have read the CAA guidelines and to acknowledge no further action is being taken.

The notice was published earlier today:

A NOTAM, or notice to airmen, was in place for the day of demolition , it read: “EXPLOSIVE DEMOLITION WI 0.5NM RADIUS OF 530257N 0025923W (WREXHAM, WREXHAM COUNTY BOROUGH). 2020-11-0117/AS2”

Members of the public were also reminded there is a pandemic, with added lockdown in place on the day, so were asked not to make a trip to watch.

Images and footage from the day can be found here.