Part 3: Unmanned aircraft Use of counter-unmanned aircraft technology Legal Background
Schedule 8, paragraph 11 of the Act amends section 93 of the Police Act 1997 to insert a second limb (in addition to "serious crime") under which property interference and wireless telegraphy interference authorisations can be obtained by the named public authorities to cover the use of a UA in relation to a "relevant offence" (defined in paragraph 11(5) which covers certain offences in the ANO 2016, Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990, Prison Act 1952 and equivalent legislation and/or common law offences relating to prisons in Scotland and Northern Ireland). The effect of this amendment of section 93 will be to expand the range of circumstances in which technology designed to counter-UA can be used to prevent UA being used to commit offences. Paragraph 11 of Schedule 8 also adds both the CNC, and members of senior management for prisons in England and Wales (and equivalent civil servants in Scotland and Northern Ireland) exercising their duties in relation to the relevant institution in the case of a prison authorisation, to the list of public authorities who can apply for authorisation to cover the unlawful use of a UA in these circumstances.
	Schedule 8, paragraph 12 of the Act amends section 94 of the Police Act 1997 to enable a deputy or assistant chief constable in the CNC to authorise the use of counter-UA technology in the absence of the Chief Constable of the CNC, and to enable a member of senior management for prisons in England and Wales (and equivalent civil servants in Scotland and Northern Ireland) to authorise the use of counter-UA technology in the absence of the usual authorising official in the case of a prison authorisation.