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Two arrested on suspicion of laser attack on police helicopter Two men arrested after laser pointed at police helicopter in Stoke-on-Trent
(35 minutes later)
Two men in Stoke-on-Trent have been arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft after a police helicopter was targeted using a laser.Two men in Stoke-on-Trent have been arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft after a police helicopter was targeted using a laser.
The pair in their 20s were taken into custody just 15 minutes after allegedly pointing the device at a helicopter over Northwood which was supporting colleagues with a search on the ground. The pair in their 20s were taken into custody only 15 minutes after allegedly pointing the device at a helicopter over Northwood which was supporting colleagues with a search on the ground.
The aircraft directed police community support officers who were in the area at the time of the incident – around 8.50pm – and were able to track down the men before being joined by police officers.The aircraft directed police community support officers who were in the area at the time of the incident – around 8.50pm – and were able to track down the men before being joined by police officers.
In a statement Staffordshire police said: “Two young men in their early 20s have been arrested by police on suspicion of endangering an aircraft this evening. A laser has been recovered and the men will remain in custody and be questioned by police.” In a statement, Staffordshire police said: “Two young men in their early 20s have been arrested by police on suspicion of endangering an aircraft this evening. A laser has been recovered and the men will remain in custody and be questioned by police.”
In February this year the National Police Air Service raised concerns about the increasing number of laser attacks on aircraft. The director of operations, Ollie Dismore, said: “In an attack, a laser pointer is deliberately or recklessly shone at airborne aircraft sometimes persistently over a period of minutes. The impact on a pilot is at the very least distracting but can be serious enough to cause temporary ‘flash’ blindness and in some cases lasting eye damage. In February this year, the National Police Air Service raised concerns about the increasing number of laser “attacks” on aircraft. The director of operations, Ollie Dismore, said: “In an attack, a laser pointer is deliberately or recklessly shone at airborne aircraft sometimes persistently over a period of minutes. The impact on a pilot is at the very least distracting but can be serious enough to cause temporary ‘flash’ blindness and in some cases lasting eye damage.
“What may seem like harmless fun to the culprit could potentially have devastating consequences for the crew and passengers in the aircraft as well as innocent members of the public on the ground. In serious cases, using a laser pointer in this way can carry a prison sentence.”“What may seem like harmless fun to the culprit could potentially have devastating consequences for the crew and passengers in the aircraft as well as innocent members of the public on the ground. In serious cases, using a laser pointer in this way can carry a prison sentence.”
Last year there were 1,800 laser strikes on aircraft in the UK reported to the Civil Aviation Authority. In August a British Airways flight to Heathrow from Bergen was targeted by a green laser beam as it made its final descent. Last year there were 1,800 “laser incidents” on aircraft in the UK reported to the Civil Aviation Authority. In August a British Airways flight to Heathrow from Bergen was targeted by a green laser beam as it made its final descent.
It was among a string of incidents targeting planes taking off and landing at UK airports with Heathrow the worst target for the laser pen attacks. Birmingham airport is the second most heavily targeted with one incident a week. It was among a string of incidents targeting planes taking off and landing at UK airports, with Heathrow the worst target for the laser pen incidents. Birmingham airport is the second most heavily targeted with one incident a week.
Earlier this year a former US navy pilot warned that the increasing number of such attacks could lead to a “terrible tragedy”. Steve Schallhorn urged for more to be done to raise awareness about the irreversible injuries that can be caused by laser pens. Earlier this year a former US navy pilot warned that the increasing number of such attacks could lead to a “terrible tragedy”. Dr Steve Schallhorn urged for more to be done to raise awareness about the irreversible injuries that can be caused by laser pens.
In July a pilots’ union called for the lasers to be classified as “offensive weapons” after figures suggested Heathrow’s pilots were targeted 48 times in the first six months of 2015.In July a pilots’ union called for the lasers to be classified as “offensive weapons” after figures suggested Heathrow’s pilots were targeted 48 times in the first six months of 2015.
The National Police Air Service is conducting a laser eyewear protection trial that may allow it to protect its staff against the threat of laser strikes.The National Police Air Service is conducting a laser eyewear protection trial that may allow it to protect its staff against the threat of laser strikes.