25-fold increase in laser incidents
13.01.10
The number of incidents of people shining lasers at planes has increased more than 25-fold over the last two years. The CAA has said that there were 29 incidents in 2007, but this increased to 737 in 2009. At Heathrow there were just 2 incidents in 2007, but 29 last year. At Manchester Airport, incidents rose from 3 to 51, whilst at Glasgow Airport they went from none to 42.
The CAA say that dazzling a pilot could be dangerous, particularly during take-off and landing, when most of laser the incidents occur. However, a new law was brought in on January 1, which, together with new detection equipment could increase convictions and help stamp out the problem.
Previously anyone caught shining a laser at an aircraft would be charged with recklessly endangering an aircraft. The new offence allows offenders to be charged specifically 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 say 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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