The NSW Police Force Aviation Command (PolAir) has issued a warning to the community about the dangers of aiming laser pointers at aircraft following an increase in incidents.
Aviation Commander Detective Superintendent Brad Monk said PolAir had recorded about a dozen incidents of laser pointers being aimed at their aircraft and other aircraft flying around Sydney in recent weeks.
“At no distance and in no circumstance is it safe to point a laser at aircraft,” Det Supt Monk said.
“The laser beams can impair the eyesight of those on board and endanger the lives of the crew and the public,” he said.
“We also want to encourage more reporting of laser strikes on aircraft as not all incidents are reported to police.”
Det Supt Monk said it was an offence to aim a laser pointer at any aircraft or use one in a public place without a reasonable excuse.
He said laser pointers with a power level greater than one milliwatt were classified as a prohibited weapon and required a permit through the Firearms Registry, if they were needed for work or astronomy.
“If you’re caught breaking the law, we will find you and you’ll be prosecuted,” he said.
“Remember, we have a birds-eye-view from the air and can easily identify where a laser beam is coming from,” Det Supt Monk said.
