A Laser pen shone up into the sky in Thame, could have caused a plane crash and killed everyone on board, say police.
The Thame incident, which happened in January 2009, is one of a dramatic increase in incidents of pilots being distracted by lasers during critical phases of flight. Thames Valley Police and other regional police forces, working in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and other Government departments, are working to track down the perpetrators of these attacks.
There were a total of 206 reported cases of lasers being used against aircraft throughout the UK in 2008, according to the Mandatory Occurrence Reports submitted to the CAA by pilots and air traffic controllers. In stark contrast, the previous year saw just 29 incidents.
In a statement today, Thames Valley Police said: “We are appealing for the public?s help in catching foolish individuals who maliciously shine lasers at aeroplanes and helicopters ? a very dangerous activity that could potentially cause the aircraft to crash and kill everyone onboard.”
Even inexpensive laser pointers can have a very long range of several miles. Shining a laser at an aircraft will dazzle and disorientate the pilot ? the front windscreen has thousands of tiny scratches on its surface, which diffract the laser beam in every direction. Essentially, the laser beam lights up the whole of the windscreen in a bright green glow, which can potentially blind the pilot.
Sgt Andy Watson of Thames Valley Police Operational Support said: “Shining a laser at an aircraft is extremely dangerous, and anyone doing this will be dealt with severely. This is not just a childish prank ? you could potentially kill hundreds of people by causing the aircraft to crash.
“I want to also appeal for anyone who witnesses a laser being shone at an aircraft to contact us immediately via the Thames Valley Police non-emergency number on 0845 8 505 505, or if it is an emergency by dialling 999.
“I?d like to issue a warning to all would-be laser users ? we have the technology and tactics to catch people who do this. If you are found with a laser device, you can even be arrested for simply carrying it if the questioning officer is not satisfied with your reasons for having one.”
In support, Bob Jones, Head of Flight Operations at the CAA, said: “To those individuals targeting aircraft with laser devices the message is clear ? don?t. You will be caught and you will be prosecuted and you could spend up to five years in prison. We strongly urge anyone in the local area who sees a laser being used against aircraft to contact the police immediately. These things are not toys, they pose a serious risk to all flight safety.”
OXFORD MAN CHARGED
On Monday (03/08/09) Jamir Ali, aged 19, from Leon Close, Oxford, was arrested and charged with endangering safety of aircraft. He was released on bail to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on August 12. This is in relation to an incident on August 03, when a light, believed to be from laser pen, was shone at the Chiltern Air Support helicopter as it flew over East Oxford.
NB Some makes of these pens, which are freely available on the internet for just a few pounds, have been banned from being exported into Australia.
Photo: FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY – Courtesy of www.nationalterroralert.com (USA)
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