Twenty-five fold increase in laser incidents
13.01.10
The number of incidents of people shining lasers at planes has increased more than twenty-five fold over the last two years. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that there were 29 incidents in 2007, but this had increased to 737 in 2009. At Heathrow airport there were just two incidents in 2007, but 29 last year. At Manchester Airport, incidents rose from three to 51, whilst at Glasgow Airport they went from zero to 42.
Dazzling a pilot could be dangerous, the CAA said, particularly during take-off and landing, when most of the incidents occur. However, a new law was brought in on 1 January, which together with new detection equipment could increase convictions.
Previously anyone caught shining a laser at an aircraft could have been charged with recklessly endangering an aircraft. The new offence allows offenders to be charged with shining a light at an aircraft so as to dazzle the pilot. The CAA expects this to increase the conviction rate as it is easier to prove.
In addition to the new law, police are also trialling equipment that allows them to record details of the laser beam. The CAA said that this is unique to each device, similar to a fingerprint, so will make it easier to prove who was responsible for the attack.
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