THREE people arrested after a drone was reportedly flown near to Aintree Racecourse on Friday have been released under investigation.

The three suspects were arrested yesterday, April 9, on suspicion of offences under the Air Navigation Order.

The three men - who police say were a pilot, and two spotters – aged 54, 52 and 35 were arrested and the drone was also seized.

A search of a vehicle linked to one of the men resulted in large quantity of cash also being seized.

Information has also been submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority.

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The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has provisionally suspended the permission of the registered flight school believed to have been involved, pending further investigation.

Officers will today continue to work with Crowded Space Drones (Jockey Club contractors) and the NPCC Counter Drone Team to monitor and respond to drone detections around the footprint of the racecourse.

After the arrests, Chief Superintendent Paul White said: "We have a team of officers and partners who are monitoring any drone activity around Aintree racecourse to establish if any offences have been committed.

"On this occasion they detected breaches in legislation which resulted in the three men being arrested and the drone being seized.

"Merseyside Police will continue to seek ways to combat the illegal use of drones to keep the communities of Merseyside safe."