Laser pen offenders face five years in jail and unlimited fines under new laws
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. National Police Chiefs' Council lead for lasers, Commander Simon Bray, said shining a laser at an aircraft or another moving vehicle is "deeply irresponsible and dangerous". "These new and robust measures send a clear message to perpetrators: laser attacks are a crime and serious consequences will follow from committing this offence." Andrew Haines, chief executive at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: "Shining a laser at an aircraft in flight could pose a serious risk to flight safety. "We are concerned about the high number of laser attacks in recent years and therefore welcome new measures that would see tougher penalties for those who act recklessly by endangering the safety of aircraft."
History of this topic
Government considers laser pointer licences in crackdown after pilots are blinded
The Independent
Aviation regulator calls for anyone found carrying laser pointers to be arrested in bid to cut number of attacks on aircraft
The Independent
Laser pointers won’t damage pilots’ eyes, study finds
CNN
Laser attacks on aircraft more than double within a decade
The Independent
Airline pilots call for laser pointers to be criminalised after Virgin Atlantic plane 'laser strike'
The Independent
Just how dangerous are laser attacks on aeroplanes?
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