A statement from the British Airline Pilots’ Association in response to the story on an air ambulance being targeted in a laser attack.

BALPA Flight Safety Specialist, Steve Landells, said:

“Pilots want people to understand that lasers are not toys. We are concerned about the high number of laser attacks in recent years and about the increasing strength of these devices; they can cause serious distraction for the pilots and temporary blindness. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is illegal and could cause a crash.

“We believe high powered lasers need to be treated as potential weapons. That’s why BALPA is working with the government, aviation authorities and police to strengthen legislation around lasers, and are pushing for an increase in police powers to allow the confiscation of lasers and arrest of those who are carrying them without a good reason.”