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The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has introduced a new law that could help prosecute people who shine high-powered lasers at aircraft. The amendment stipulates that anybody caught ‘shining a light at an aircraft’ can be charged with reckless endangerment.

Dubbed ‘laser louts’ by the British press, these brigands are anonymous enemies of modern aviation, using bright lights to dazzle the pilots of helicopters and planes. UK airports report a 1,700% increase in the phenomenon since 2008 – a worrying statistic.

Laser pointers are readily available on the internet, often selling for just £20. With a maximum range of almost 2km, the user can pester aircraft with impunity, without giving his or her appearance away to video cameras.

Manchester Airport claimed 52 laser incidents in 2009 alone, compared to 42 in Glasgow, 40 in Birmingham, and 39 at Leeds Bradford. Over 700 separate incidents were reported last year.

Even police helicopters have been targeted, but with no obvious way to detect laser louts, even the airborne authorities are susceptible to this kind of obstruction.

The CAA is currently working on a ‘laser-recognition’ device, capable of recording laser beams, said to be as unique and varied as the human fingerprint. Jail sentences and community service orders have also been earmarked for laser crooks.

Rogue laser beams have not caused any accidents to date, but an incident in Plymouth last year resulted in a plane having to abort its landing. The plane and its crew eventually landed safely.

The BBC offers a short video on its website, highlighting the dangers that laser pens pose to aircraft; in this case, a police helicopter.