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Police took a drone being flown by a Chinese visitor at Fox Glacier on Monday.

Senior Constable Paul Gurney, of Haast police, said the drone was spotted by helicopter operators, flying over a hangar and aircraft on the ground.

Concerned staff followed the drone and located the operator at a nearby motel. Police were called and seized the machine.

A Chinese man (73) was officially warned for operating an unmanned drone in a manner which caused unnecessary danger to aircraft.

''Efforts are being made to step up information and warnings to visiting tourists about where they can fly drones in Fox Glacier,'' Snr Const Gurney said.

Police advise that anyone spotting drones near airports or aircraft bases should ring 111.

Comments

"Police advise that anyone spotting drones near airports or aircraft bases should ring 111." Yet CAA regs allow for drones to be operated within 4Km of airports when 'shielded' ie operated below the height of nearby trees/buildings. Please be careful of blanket statements that encourage unnecessary calls.

Sorry, I prefer the police advice, given these machines have been hindering or delaying services.

If one is not supposed to call police unless one is assured of the commission of a crime then the police would not know about most crimes. It is far better to call the police only to have them determine that everything is okay than not call them and find out that something has happened.