Laser beam attacks on Navy pilots in South Somerset (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Laser beam attacks on Navy pilots in South Somerset

8:10am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Ilminster

ROYAL Navy helicopter pilots flying over the RNAS Merryfield airfield at Ilton have come under attack from people on the ground dazzling them with laser pens.

Officers at nearby RNAS Yeovilton reported three attacks on Navy Lynx helicopters as they approched the satellite airfield at Merryfield last month, while a fourth attack took place on Wednesday night as a Lynx flew over Ilton on night-time training exercises.

Now Yeovilton's 'Commander Air' Commander Neil Thompson has said the laser pen owners need to think carefully about their actions.

"What they're doing is very dangerous because shining the lasers at pilots can not only dazzle them, but also cause damage to their eyes," he said.

"People should also be aware that what they're doing is illegal, and make no bones about it, we will report every incident to the police and they'll respond immediately."

Only last year, in an unconnected incident, a laser pen attack on a police helicopter resulted in a Chard man receiving a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Anyone who can help the police with information about laser pen attacks should phone 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.