Call for public views on police use of drones in Scotland

The “gung-ho” use of drones and body cameras by Police Scotland, which have raised concerns about breaching people’s privacy, are under the spotlight of a Holyrood committee that has called for public views on how the equipment should be used.

One of three Police Scotland drones.

The Justice Sub-Committee on Policing is due to take evidence from January on the roll-out of both the camera systems after revelations that Police Scotland failed to carry out any privacy, human rights or data protection assessments before buying three drones, and then using them without the express permission of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).

The drones, based in Aberdeen and Inverness, were due to be used solely for missing persons searches. The third in Glasgow was to be utilised for training, research and development.

As a result of failing to carry out privacy impact assessments, the Scottish Police Authority agreed the drones would would not be used for any other reasons “without further authority”.

However, it was later revealed they had been used for reasons beyond searching for missing persons without the SPA's authority, including surveillance of young people at Troon beach to determine if there was any anti-social behaviour, and surveillance of a Greenpeace protest aboard an oil rig in the Cromarty Firth.

Police Scotland also wants to introduce body-worn video cameras for officers. However, in her report on Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues in Relation to Policing, Dame Elish Angiolini said there were risks which needed to be mitigated before their introduction.

Sub-committee convener, John Finnie MSP, said: “While technology undoubtedly has a place in policing, the gung-ho manner in which Police Scotland appears to introduce and roll-out new kit has caused us some concern.

“Privacy is a fundamental right and public confidence is key to policing. We want to ensure Police Scotland is not undermining these through a lack of transparency and due process when introducing new gadgets.

“So, ahead of hearing evidence from them and the Scottish Police Authority, we are giving policing bodies, rights campaigners, and anyone who wishes to have their say an opportunity to share their views with the sub-committee.”

Any views can be submitted online until January 11 at https://yourviews.parliament.scot/justice/police-rpa-bwvc/.

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