A CRACKDOWN on drone flying in the New Forest has been launched after a catalogue of incidents.

Pilots who operate the remote-controlled flying aircraft are being warned they are risking prosecution as the authorities respond to calls for tougher action.

Drones have been linked to riders being thrown from their horses after the animals became spooked by the low flying craft.

They have also been reported flying within sensitive areas during the bird breeding season and near busy public areas.

The use of remote controlled aircraft or drones are banned in the New Forest under bylaws which state that “to operate any aircraft, glider, hot air balloon, raft or craft of any kind or any model aircraft, boat or car” without permission is forbidden.

At a meeting of the New Forest Verderers, verderer Jim Greenwood said he had had a close encounter with a drone while out on his horse near Bolton’s Bench.

He said: “I was on my horse with someone else on a horse and a drone flew about 20 feet above us.

“There were quite a few people at Bolton’s Bench at the time. They aren’t meant to fly above large numbers of people.

“It was flying lower than it was meant to and it is against Forestry Commission bylaws to fly them in the New Forest anyway. It didn’t frighten my horse but some would have been spooked by it.

“It needs to be stopped. Something needs to be done before it becomes a bigger problem. Eventually it will be licensed. It needs regulating.”

Richard Burke, of the Forestry Commission, said: “In our experience, few users have the correct training or permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to operate drones and should a drone cause harm, people often do not have the correct insurances to compensate those affected.

“Drones should not be flown near property and the special nature of the New Forest makes the risk of damage more serious.”