Drone owners have been warned that they face prosecution if they fly their gadgets over the Commonwealth Games.
The ban on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Birmingham and the West Midlands has been issued by the Secretary of State for Transport in a measure aimed at ensuring public safety during the high-profile sporting event.
It comes as the city prepares to host around 4,000 athletes and over a million spectators from Thursday (July 28) for eleven days of intense sporting competition.
Enforcement teams will actively monitor the skies in the region during the period in order to detect, track and identify drone activity.
Anyone found to be in violation of the order — which prevents unauthorised flying equipment in an area including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Solihull — will be liable to having their equipment seized and could face prosecution.
WMP Eye in the Sky tweeted: "Just a reminder that no drones are to be flown in the West Midlands and the wider area until 0600hrs 9th August 2022 without permission from West Midlands Police.
"The Secretary of State for Transport has deemed this necessary in the interest of public safety and security."
In advance of the Games there were restrictions from 6am on July 22 to 5.59am on July 28, meaning no drones can be flown in the immediate vicinity of the city.
Other safety measures announced by Games organisers include over 3,000 police officers working "night and day" to ensure security, as well as strict security checks on entrance to venues.
Around 4,000 military personnel will also be brought in to provide enhanced security.
The strict drone ban follows a recent government deal that will see 'Star Wars' style laser weapons capable of downing enemy drones out of the sky built in the UK.
Raytheon Technologies will open the facility in Scotland after being awarded a £160 million contract from the Ministry of Defence.
As well as focussing on the testing and maintenance of the defensive weapons, the firm will also support the training of Royal Navy personnel at Scotland’s HM Naval Base Clyde.
The futuristic weapons have been designed to shoot down drones in two seconds from six miles away, the Daily Record reported.
