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UK CAA: New powers to tackle aircraft laser crime introduced

13-Jan-2010
UK CAA: New powers to tackle aircraft laser crime introduced
A new law that makes shining a light or laser at an aircraft a specific criminal offence has been introduced. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which initiated the new law, said it was in response to the growing number of incidents involving laser devices being shone at airliners and helicopters near British airports.

Previously, anyone caught shining a laser at an aircraft may have been charged with ‘recklessly endangering an aircraft’. Offenders may now be charged with ‘shining a light at an aircraft in flight so as to dazzle the pilot’, which it is expected will increase the conviction rate.

The CAA said that distracting or dazzling a pilot with a light or laser represented a serious safety risk, particularly during critical phases of flight such as take-off and landing when a pilot’s concentration was at maximum levels.

The numbers of reported incidents of this type have increased 25 times in only two years. In 2009 there were a total of 737 attacks with lasers on commercial airliners, air ambulances and police helicopters across the UK, a considerable increase on the 29 incidents in 2007. Although there have been around a dozen successful prosecutions so far, many more arrests are expected as police air support units roll out new technology to catch offenders.

Bob Jones, Head of Flight Operations at the CAA, 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.”

The malicious use of lasers against aircraft has become a global problem in recent years with large numbers of incidents reported in the USA, Australia and Canada. Airports reporting high numbers of laser incidents in the UK in 2009 included Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Heathrow and Leeds Bradford. The CAA said that it was encouraging the aviation industry to unite around the problem by reporting incidents to police air support units as soon as they happen. Concerted action could see culprits detected within minutes.

(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 13-Jan-10

 

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