SINGAPORE - A 27-year-old man who flew a drone near the War Memorial Park on National Day has been given a stern warning by the police.

The man flew an unmanned aircraft in the area gazetted as a Special Event Area without a permit at about 8.20pm on Aug 9 this year and was spotted by the police. He was believed to have been trying to take photographs of the fireworks during the National Day Parade, the police said in a release.

The man was given a stern warning on Oct 1 in lieu of prosecution by the police, in consultation with the Attorney-General's Chambers.

It is an offence to fly an unmanned aircraft near or into a Special Event Area. Any person found guilty of the offence may face a fine of up to $20,000 or jail for up to 12 months, or both.

Flying an unmanned aircraft in a Special Event Area may pose a threat to public safety and security as large crowds are expected in the area, the police said.

"Flying an unmanned aircraft near a fireworks area is especially dangerous and can cause severe harm to the members of public who are watching the fireworks," they added.

Members of the public are advised to refer to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore website for more details on permit applications regarding the operation of unmanned aircraft.