by PAUL MANNION

FOOLISH offenders caught shining laser pens into the cockpits of passenger planes could face fines of up to £2,500 thanks to a new law.

The new – more specific – charge of “shining a light at an aircraft in flight to dazzle the pilot” will make it easier for cases to be proven in courts and it is expected convictions will soar.

Captain Bob Jones, head of flight operations at the Civil Aviation Authority, who initiated the law, said: “This new criminal charge will strengthen the hand of law enforcement agencies in their efforts to tackle this problem.

“I advise individuals who may think shining a laser at an aircraft is a bit of fun, to think again.

“The chances of getting caught are increasing rapidly and, once caught, criminal charges are now inevitable.

“Anyone who witnesses a laser being shone at an aircraft should contact the police immediately - just as they would observing any other criminal act.”

A spate of laser pen attacks took place during the summer.

On August 30 youths were spotted shining laser pens into the cockpits of planes coming into Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport in the Saltworks area of Frodsham at about 8.45pm.

On July 31, crew members in a plane about 11 miles from the airport reported a green light directed toward them from the direction of Chester and Broughton, near the A55.

The previous day a green light was shone at pilots about 3,000ft over Frodsham from Runcorn marshes.

And on Monday, July 27, at 11.20pm, a flight from Milan, flying at just 2,000ft, had a green light directed toward it from the Frodsham area.

Cheshire Police spokeswoman Shelley Williams said: “We welcome this new piece of legislation as an effective tool to bring these type of offenders to justice.

“The use of any light or laser to distract an aircraft in flight is a dangerous and foolish act which ultimately could affect the control of the aircraft in its critical stages of landing and taking off.”

Aviation experts said pens could cause blindness and even be responsible for a serious airline tragedy.

Airport bosses across the country are set to receive new technology which can pinpoint in seconds the exact location of the laser whose beams can stretch for several miles and shine into aircraft up to 10,000ft up.

Caption:

LASER PEN LEGISLATION: Anyone caught shining laser pens into the cockpits of passenger planes could face fines of up to £2,500 thanks to a new law.