Laser louts could cause crashes, AOA

Release Date: 2009-08-06

People who shine lasers into cockpits of overhead planes could be risking the lives of hundreds of passengers, according to one expert.

Sergeant Andy Watson of Thames Valley Police gave the warning after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) released figures which showed that the number of such incidents had risen from 29 in 2007 to 209 at the beginning of this year.

He said: "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."

The sergeant added that if people are found with laser devices on them they can be arrested instantly.

Thames Valley Police said that it has established partnerships with other regional police forces, the CAA and government departments to find the offending laser users.

Recently, a helicopter pilot in the US was blinded when a man shone a laser into his cockpit and his co-pilot had to take the controls and land the craft safely.

Type:	NORMAL
Company:	AOA
Country:	Germany
Url:	http://www.aoa.org.uk/media/latest_news_view.asp?NEWS_ID=19301344