UK government to clamp down on laser pointers

In a response to a call for evidence launched last year following a recent increase in the number of incidents involving lasers, the government has pledged additional support to local authority ports and borders teams to stop high-powered laser pointers entering the UK.

This includes supporting local authority teams to carry out increased checks at the border, including testing products to ensure they are safe.

The government will work with manufacturers and retailers to improve laser pointer labelling, indicating that they must not be pointed at eyes or at vehicles and must state the power level of the product.

More than 150 incidents of eye injuries involving laser pointers were reported since 2013, the vast majority of these involving children.

In 2016, the Civil Aviation Authority received reports of 1,258 laser incidents, with Heathrow the most frequent location for reports of the devices being used recklessly.

Laser beam attacks against the rail network are also a concern. Records from the British Transport Police show that between 1 April 2011 and 30 November 2017, a total of 578 laser incidents were recorded.

The Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Bill, introduced to Parliament last year, expands the list of vehicles it is an offence to target with lasers. It also makes it easier to prosecute offenders by removing the need to prove an intention to endanger a vehicle. People who shine laser devices at transport operators could be jailed for up to five years.

A spokesperson for the Scottish government said: “While the law in this area is reserved to the UK government, the Scottish Government has long supported the work being carried out to see if the law needs to be strengthened by, for example, increasing the penalties available.”