Dr Alan McKenna’s expertise in law and the use of drones continues to be called upon by media outlets across the UK.
Dr McKenna was interviewed by BBC Radio Devon earlier today following news that police forces in Dorset, and Devon and Cornwall, are to begin trialling the use of drones for police matters including searches for missing people and crime scene photography.
In October, Dr McKenna was interviewed by the Guardian after the release of official figures revealing a rise in cases involving drones being used for sexual and drug-related offences. In the article ‘UK police see spike in drone incidents’, Dr McKenna described a lack of awareness of the law governing the use of drones: ‘I was talking, for example, to a farmer who was not best pleased at a drone going across his land and he felt that he could use a shotgun because he regarded it as akin to a dog attacking his livestock. That was an interesting perspective. Education is important, but it will only get us so far. If we cannot enforce the regulations that we have, then people will use self-help mechanisms. That is the nature of a human being unfortunately.’
Also in October Dr McKenna was interviewed on the BBC Radio Kent Drive programme (1:24 into the programme), by BBC Radio Sussex, Wave FM (a commercial radio station for Hampshire and Dorset) and by BBC Radio Suffolk for their Sunday news bulletins.
Regional television programme BBC South East Today, interviewed Dr McKenna for a story about complaints into drone use in Kent and Sussex on 5 October. The pre-recorded interview followed news that the highest number of complaints about drones of any area had been recorded in Sussex. On the same day, a BBC News item ‘Are drones dangerous or harmless fun?’ and published online, featured comments by Dr McKenna.
In August, Dr McKenna was interviewed by BBC Radio Oxford and BBC Radio Berkshire
In September, drone research undertaken by Dr McKenna was referenced at the launch of a debate on the civilian use of drones by Baroness O’Cathain in the House of Lords. Earlier in the year Dr McKenna contributed written evidence to a House of Lords report, Civilian Use of Drones in the EU.
In addition to drone use, Dr McKenna’s research interests include the information society, communication law, information law, media, human rights, information technology law, international commercial law, data protection, privacy and asbestos-related issues.
For further details of Dr McKenna’s research interests and publications, visit his staff profile page.