Laser pen misuse – at a football stadium, on the road – is on the rise, warn Surrey Police. The force is seeing more offences involving people deliberately pointing the devices at other members of the public or vehicles.
There has been a 270 per cent increase in incidents across the county over the last six months compared to the same period last year. Of particular concern is an increase in laser attacks specifically aimed at aircraft in East Surrey in the area adjacent to Gatwick Airport.
Chief Superintendent Charlie Doyle said: โPeople using these pens may think itโs an innocent prank but the potential effect on an aircraft on take off or coming in for landing could be catastrophic.โ
In August 2009, a 21-year-old woman from Feltham was handed a six month suspended jail sentence after shining a laser into the cockpit of the Surrey Police helicopter which was over Staines responding to a call-out.
The increase in offences in Surrey is much in line with the issue nationally. In March this year the UK Civil Aviation authority (CAA) announced that laser attacks on aircraft had increased from 27 in 2007 to over 1,400 in 2010.
Chief Supt Doyle added: โSurrey Police will deal robustly with any incident involving laser lights, whether it is an assault on another member of the public or a device being pointed at a vehicle. Laser pen owners should also be aware that Surrey Policeโs Collision Investigation Unit can pursue a manslaughter charge if it is found that a fatal or life changing injury collision is due to the use of a laser light. All offences have a power of arrest and could result in a term of imprisonment
โWe need the publicโs help in reporting incidents or suspicious behaviour. Anyone who has any information regarding such an incident should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222. Alternatively information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously and free of charge on 0800 555 111.โ
