Warning issued after police helicopter targeted by laser pen

Attack: The helicopter was fired on as it returned from a routine patrol.

A helicopter was targeted by a laser pen as it flew over an area of Glasgow, police have said.

The Strathclyde Police vehicle was above the Wyndford area of Maryhill when the pilot reported a beam of light being fired at the cockpit.

It is understood the helicopter was returning from a routine patrol when it was fired on.

A spokeswoman for the force said: "We received a report of a laser-type pen being shone at the police helicopter at around 10.50pm on Monday night.

"It is believed to have come from the Maryhill area of Glasgow. The pilot reported the incident to officers in Maryhill."

She added that police enquiries were ongoing in the area.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that there were 107 incidents of aircraft being targeted by lasers at Glasgow airport in 2011, one of the highest rates in the UK.

Laser pens can temporarily blind pilots and cause permanent eye damage. The effect is heightened if the pilot is wearing night vision goggles or similar devices.

CAA spokesman Richard Taylor issued a stark warning over the dangers of shooting laser beams at aircraft.

He said: "Glasgow is one of the worst places for laser attacks in the UK.

"Shining a laser pen at a pilot is extremely dangerous. It is happening at a crucial time, usually when the aircraft is just about to land.

"Luckily, there have been no major accidents at Glasgow Airport but we do not think we are far off from something really dangerous happening."

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