DRONE flights are on the rise in Aberaeron prompting fears that paedophiles could be using them for sinister purposes, a Ceredigion County Council committee chairman has said.

As the coordination overview and scrutiny committee discussed a recent community safety partnership crime and disorder strategic assessment, Cllr Elizabeth Evans asked if concerns had been raised about drones.

Cllr Evans also asked what the authority could do to make sure rules and regulations were widely known.

“I’m really concerned that there’s an overuse of drones which are affecting people’s privacy and I’m very concerned about the safety of children regarding the use of drones,” she added.

“I honestly think that people that are buying these drones on Amazon or in Currys don’t understand the privacy laws and regulations relating to them.

“There’s so many flying over Aberaeron and I’ve noticed very low-flying drones in Aberaeron. There was one incident where small children were laying in the paddling pool in the garden and a drone was flying over them.

“Paedophile rings – they exist. At a football tournament at the weekend there were two convicted paedophiles, the police were called and they were arrested and taken away.”

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now