Fears ‘peeping Tom’ drone is spying on young Adelaide women
Terrified women claim they and their families are being spied on in their own homes and backyards a ‘peeping tom’ drone.
Locals from Adelaide’s western suburbs say the drone filmed them as they sunbathed, got dressed and went about their private lives.
One mother claimed that her 10-year-old daughter was recently attacked while she slept in a tent in the backyard, sparking safety fears for her family.
“It’s so intimidating for me as a parent,” Sarah Worrall-Reiman told the BBC Adelaide Advertiser.
‘With a drone you don’t know who it is, where they are, what their intentions are, it makes it that little bit extra freaky.’
An unnamed woman claimed the drone filmed her sunbathing and hovered above her for 20 minutes.
“It was just really creepy and I didn’t feel safe at all,” she said.
A third woman told the publication she saw the drone hovering outside her bedroom window while she was getting dressed.
In Adelaide’s western suburbs, women claim they are being spied on by a drone in their own homes and backyards
South Australian Police confirmed they are aware of the incidents and are investigating.
Police have urged anyone with complaints about drones to contact the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
However, a CASA spokesperson said it was a matter for the police.
“The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is responsible for ensuring the safe operation of drones, but not for issues such as privacy, noise or criminal activity,” they said.
“Anyone who fears for their safety or requires immediate response to a drone-related incident should report it to their local police.”
One woman said she saw the drone hovering outside her bedroom window while she was getting dressed
To operate safely, drones must be kept at a distance of 30 meters from the public.
They are forbidden to fly above anyone, regardless of the time of day or their height.
This ban also applies to sporting events, busy beaches, roads and footpaths.
Violators who violate these laws may be fined up to $1,650 by CASA.
If convicted, drone operators could be fined a further $16,500 and banned from using one.