POLICE in Cirencester are warning of the dangers of shining laser pens at aircraft.

The warning follows an incident on Tuesday January 18, when police were alerted that two separate lasers had been shone at the cockpit of an aircraft flying above Cirencester.

Sergeant Garrett Gloyn from the local policing team said: “Shining lasers at aircraft is incredibly dangerous, endangering the life of the crew and the public.

“The individuals involved should realise that they are putting people’s lives in danger with their irresponsible behaviour. They also commit an offence and risk gaining themselves a criminal record.”

It is an offence to endanger the safety of an aircraft and police take the matter very seriously. Last summer a 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of shining a light at an aircraft so as to dazzle or distract a pilot after a similar incident in Cheltenham. He was given a formal reprimand after admitting the offence.

Anyone with any information about who was involved in yesterday’s incident is asked to contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 294 of January 18.

You can also give information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.