Police in the UK are understood to be working with Nato countries to bring in technology designed to counter new threats posed by drones. The need to protect airspace from potential mid-air collisions, as well as fears the technology could be used by terrorists, has led chiefs to start trialling potential anti-drone technology in the UK.

A range of technologies designed to identify, track and disrupt unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is being tested around the world, according to Sky News, as worries over the use of drones grow.

More from IBTimes UK

After a number of near-misses, a drone struck a plane coming into land at Heathrow airport on 17 April. The flight carrying 132 passengers landed safely and the plane was later cleared for its next flight. In Devon and Cornwall, drone users have been asked to alert the Royal Navy before flying UAVs "so they can let their aircraft know for safety".

A number of other countries, including the US, are understood to be researching similar anti-drone technology as the UK. In the Netherlands, three drones flying near Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport nearly crashed into a number of planes on 1 April.

Hobbyist drone use is increasingly common, with some even taking it to professional levels. In March, Dubai hosted the biggest drone racing event yet seen, with more than 100 teams competing.

Speaking to Sky News, Professor David Dunn of the University of Birmingham said that increased recreational drone use is worrying: "There is a degree to which inevitably there will be a collision unless some means is found to regulate, to stop and to prevent the unregulated use of these systems in same airspace as ours. Aircraft at 200 or 300 feet could be attacked with drones or multiple drones and swarmed in the engine. That can bring down a large aircraft with devastating effects."

Anti-drone technology is expected to be used during the 2016 Euro Championships being held in France this summer. The technology will help police a no-fly-zone above all stadiums.

NATO Euro 2016