Aviation regulator calls for anyone found carrying laser pointers to be arrested in bid to cut number of attacks on aircraft

For 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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} People found carrying powerful laser pointers should be arrested even if they are not using them, the head of the UK's aviation regulator has said. Andrew Haines, chief executive of the Civil Aviation Authority, claimed new legislation is needed to cut the number of laser attacks on aircraft. There is also a lesser offence of shining a light at an aircraft, but the CAA boss called for the law to be toughened so anyone found carrying a laser pointer can be arrested. “Why does Joe Bloggs walking down the street need a laser that can pop a balloon at 50 miles, that can cause permanent damage to a pilot?” Recording of laser incident CAA figures show there were 1,439 laser attacks on aircraft in the UK last year – equivalent to almost four a day.