Pilot blinded while flying over Cheltenham

A pilot was put in danger after a laser beam was shone into his eyes as he came in to land in Gloucestershire.

Police are hunting for a gang of reckless youths they believe are responsible for targeting the light aircraft.

Officials have condemned the shocking incident, which happened as the chartered craft began its descent into Gloucestershire Airport over St Paul's.

The plane, which was en-route from Brussels, was lining up an approach to the Staverton strip when the ultra-bright green beam was blasted into the pilot's vision from the ground shortly after 7pm on November 18.

The incident, which was reported to the airport's traffic control tower, followed a spate of similar reports from motorists and residents in Cheltenham.

Police, who have pledged to step up patrols in St Paul's, say that 20 minutes before a motorist was temporarily blinded by a penetrating ray while driving along Tommy Taylors Lane.

Four teenage boys were spotted behaving strangely nearby at about the same time. One was tall, slim, and wearing a grey or dark-coloured hoodie.

The problem first surfaced when several concerned residents in St Paul's Road reported laser lights being shone into their living rooms on November 14, at about 6.30pm.

Then a gang of about eight youths were seen behaving suspiciously outside St Paul's Tavern. Sergeant Mark Stephens, of Gloucestershire police, said: "Whoever is responsible for these ludicrous acts need have no illusions as to the potential consequences. To shine a laser into the eyes of someone driving a car is totally stupid.

"To shine a laser at the pilot of an aircraft simply beggars belief. It is a very serious offence to recklessly endanger the safety of an aircraft.

"The penalty on conviction is severe. We will be increasing our presence in the area."

Gloucestershire Airport director Mark Ryan said yesterday: "We submitted a report to the police and the Civil Aviation Authority shortly after it happened. Though it's clearly a very dangerous thing to do, at no point was the pilot blinded or anybody's safety placed in immediate danger."

The aircraft attack has sparked memories of an incident in Cheltenham in 2007, when a police helicopter almost crashed while patrolling above the town. Mark Babbage, then of Old Millbrook Terrace in the town, was handed community service and fined after he admitted shining a high-power laser pen into the pilot's eyes above Hester's Way on Bonfire Night.

A police spokeswoman said that while laser lights or pens are not illegal, their inappropriate use is a criminal offence. Sgt Stephens said: "I am appealing to parents to consider the wisdom of allowing their kids to have these lasers and for those young people who do have them to grow up."

Anyone with information should contact Whaddon's safer community team on 0845 090 1234.