NSW Police say you can report suspicious drones to them or CASA. Photo: pexels.
NSW Police have urged farmers to report unknown drones flying over their property, rather than trying to damage or disable the unmanned aerial devices themselves.
“Farmers and rural landowners across NSW are reporting sightings of drones flying over private properties, including livestock paddocks, machinery sheds, and crop fields,” the NSW Police Rural Crime Prevention Team said.
“We are calling on the public’s help to report any suspicious drone activity in rural areas. These drones may pose biosecurity risks, disturb livestock, or infringe on privacy.”
According to the agri-security business TEMT Security and Night Vision Solutions, criminals may use drones to access ‘patterns of life’ around the farm and homestead, finding out what you, your family and your staff are doing day-to-day. The drones can inform them of the times of day when you are not home, where you park your vehicles and where tools, machinery, and equipment are stored.
So far in 2025 there have been police reports of suspected illegal drone activity across most of rural NSW, including in the Murray River Police District.
NSW Police advise people to take the following steps if they see a suspicious drone flying over their property:
- Record the time, location, and description of the drone
- Take photos or videos if it safe to do so
- Report unsafe drone use to CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority), or suspected criminal activity or surveillance to NSW Police.
NSW Police say you should not attempt to damage, disable, or interfere with a drone. This is illegal and considered damaging an aircraft under federal law.
If you’re flying a drone in NSW, you must follow CASA’s drone safety rules:
- Only fly one drone at a time
- Always fly your drone in visual line-of-sight, which mean flying only during the day; avoid flying through cloud, fog or smoke and make sure you can always see your drone with your own eyes — not by using goggles, binoculars, or another device
- Do not fly your drone behind obstacles that stop you from always seeing your drone. For example, trees, buildings, or other structures
- You must not fly your drone higher than 120 metres above ground level or closer than 30 metres to people you don’t know
- You also cannot fly a drone in a way that creates a hazard to another person, property, or aircraft; near emergency operations; or in prohibited or restricted airspace.
Violations can result in fines up to $1650 per offence, or $16,500 if prosecuted in court.
If you are using a drone in a rural area or near a rural industry, NSW Police suggest you consider letting people and properties nearby know that you are doing so and why.
Reports about unsafe or illegal drone activity should be directed to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) online drone complaints form. Additionally, anyone with information about suspected criminal activity, such as trespassing or harassment, can report it to their local police station, Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. In an emergency call triple zero.
