The UK Government has proposed a number of measures to prevent the misuse of drones as part of a newly launched consultation on the enforcement of drone regulation.

One of the proposals will enable police to issue fixed penalty notices to those disregarding drone rules.

Another proposal will allow the use of new counter-drone technology to protect public events and  national infrastructure and stop contraband reaching prisons.

The new measures also include proposals to impose restrictions on the ownership of drones based on age and mandating the use of apps for drone pilots to submit flight plans before flying their vehicles.

“Drones present exciting benefits to our society and our economy, but with a small group of people choosing to use them for harm there are challenges we must overcome.”

The measures are expected to help create a draft of the UK’s Drones Bill that is due to be published later this year.

UK Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg said: “Drones present exciting benefits to our society and our economy, but with a small group of people choosing to use them for harm there are challenges we must overcome if we are to prevent them hindering the potential of this technology.

“That’s why we’ve already introduced safety measures like a height limit, and rules around airports, and today we are consulting on how we go further, including extra police powers and a minimum age requirement.”

Drones are currently being used for various applications including inspection of infrastructure such as railways and power stations, as well as assisting in disaster relief by speeding up the delivery of blood.