EXCLUSIVE: Laser horror as attempts to blind pilots put UK passengers at risk
THOUSANDS of planes coming in to land at Britain’s busiest airports are in danger of crashing because pilots are being 'blinded' by laser pen attackers.
Britain’s largest pilots’ union is so concerned by a recent spate of incidents it has issued an emergency bulletin to members advising them how to avoid being blinded and losing control of their planes.
The British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) now wants the law changed so anyone caught in possession of the higher powered lasers without a “legitimate reason” to be jailed.
“Slaps on wrists and £150 fines are not enough - custodial sentences should be the norm,” a spokesman said yesterday.
Most of the attacks are on large commercial jets, but even military planes carrying injured troops home from Afghanistan to hospitals in the Midlands have been targeted.
Police helicopters chasing criminals over densely populated areas are also regularly hit.
In most cases the beams are being shone by mindless youths, but pilots and security experts worry terrorists could also use them.
The British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) now wants the law changed so anyone caught in possession of the higher powered lasers without a “legitimate reason” to be jailed.
“Slaps on wrists and £150 fines are not enough - custodial sentences should be the norm,” a spokesman said yesterday.
Most of the attacks are on large commercial jets, but even military planes carrying injured troops home from Afghanistan to hospitals in the Midlands have been targeted.
Police helicopters chasing criminals over densely populated areas are also regularly hit.
In most cases the beams are being shone by mindless youths, but pilots and security experts worry terrorists could also use them.
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