Laser Incident at Liverpool Airport: Two Teenagers Arrested over Reckless Behavior

Strategic Insights -

Police in Merseyside have arrested two teenagers, aged 16 and 13, after a laser was shone at a police helicopter and flights into Liverpool Airport. The incident occurred on Thursday night, around midnight, when the National Police Air Service helicopter reported being targeted by a green laser from an address in West Derby. Later, air traffic control at Liverpool John Lennon Airport also reported that inbound flights had been targeted. The helicopter returned to the area and police officers arrested two men, who were taken into custody. The incident highlights the potential catastrophic consequences of shining laser pens at aircraft.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two teenagers, aged 16 and 13, were arrested on suspicion of shining or directing a laser beam into an aircraft.
  • The incident occurred on Thursday night, around midnight, when the National Police Air Service helicopter reported being targeted by a green laser from an address in West Derby.
  • Air traffic control at Liverpool John Lennon Airport also reported that inbound flights had been targeted.
  • The helicopter's crew used the aircraft's ability to pinpoint the location of the laser strike to track down the suspects.
  • Inspector Danny Fortune has warned about the "sheer stupidity and recklessness" of shining lasers at aircraft and urged parents and guardians to deter children from possessing laser pens.
  • Captain Paul Watts, head of flight operations at National Police Air Service, emphasized that shining lasers at aircraft endangers those on board, as well as people on the ground.

Statistics:

  • 2 teenagers were arrested
  • 1 National Police Air Service helicopter reported being targeted by a laser
  • 2 flights into Liverpool Airport reported being targeted
  • 1 address in West Derby was identified as the source of the laser strike
  • 2 police officers were involved in the arrest

Sources:

  • Merseyside Police
  • Inspector Danny Fortune (Inspector Barnett, although his first name is mentioned in the Guardian)
  • BBC News