Urgent No-Fly Zone Declared Over Epping: What You Need to Know

In an unexpected move today, the UK government has implemented emergency airspace restrictions over Epping, effective immediately. This decision, announced at 1:30 p.m. on 24th July 2025, comes in response to an undisclosed emergency situation deemed to affect public interest.

What Are the Restrictions?

The newly issued regulations, titled "The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Epping) (Emergency) (No. 2) Regulations 2025," prohibit all unmanned aircraft from flying below 800 feet above mean sea level within a specified area in Epping. This restricted zone is defined by a circle with a radius of 0.6 nautical miles, centered at the coordinates 51°41'32" North and 0°05'47" East.

Exemptions and Enforcement

The only exception to this no-fly rule applies to unmanned aircraft operating under direct instructions from Essex Police. This means that any drones or similar devices must either remain grounded or fly in accordance with police directives to avoid penalties.

Why Epping?

While the specific nature of the emergency has not been disclosed, such measures typically aim to ensure public safety and facilitate the work of emergency services. The Secretary of State for Transport, Karen L Michaels, authorised these regulations under powers granted by the Air Navigation Order 2016, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

Duration

These restrictions are temporary and will be lifted once the emergency has been resolved. Residents and drone operators in the area should stay alert for further announcements regarding the status of the airspace restrictions.

For those affected, it is crucial to comply with these regulations to avoid legal repercussions and aid in the swift resolution of the ongoing situation. Keep an eye on official updates for more information.