Drone near-misses soar to more than one a week

The number of near-misses between drones and aircraft has more than doubled, with more than one occurring each week. As ministers came under pressure from the Solicitor General to crack down on drones after a major scare at Gatwick Airport, industry figures reveal the growing threat posed to passengers by these devices. Pilots warn that a'disaster' is inevitable unless tougher laws are introduced. Latest statistics from the UK Airprox Board, which monitors the risk of mid-air collisions, show there were 33 near-misses between drones and planes or helicopters in the first five months of the year. It means 2017 is on course to become the worst year for close calls on record, despite desperate attempts by pilots to persuade the Government to take action.