Laser attackers in Britain will be sentenced to 5 years in prison

LONDON, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- British Department for Transport (DfT) announced Wednesday that jail sentences of up to five years and unlimited fines will be imposed on people who target transport operators with laser devices.

The government published details of a new laser misuse law which expands the list of vehicles, beyond just planes.

Drivers of trains and buses, captains of boats and even pilots of hovercraft will be among those protected by the new legislation, said the DfT.

The bill will make it easier to prosecute offenders by removing the need to prove an intention to endanger a vehicle. It will also remove the limit on the amount offenders can be fined, which is currently limited to 2,500 pounds (3,348 U.S. dollars). The new law paves the way for substantial sanctions. The police will also be given additional powers to catch those responsible for the misuse of lasers.

Aviation Minister, Baroness Sugg said: "Lasers can dazzle, distract or blind those in control of a vehicle, with serious and potentially even fatal consequences.

"The government is determined to protect pilots, captains, drivers and their passengers and take action against those who threaten their safety."

The DfT said police officers will no longer need to establish proof of intention endanger to a vehicle, aircraft or vessel, making it easier to prosecute swiftly. It will be an offence to shine or direct a laser towards a vehicle if it dazzles or distracts the operator.

"Laser pens have become a growing concern with the beam from the devices capable of affecting the ability of transport operators to control their vehicles," said a DfT spokesman.

Last year, the Civil Aviation Authority received reports of 1,258 laser incidents, with London Heathrow Airport the most frequent location for reports of the devices being used recklessly.

Police Commander Simon Bray from the National Police Chiefs' Council said: "Recklessly shining a laser at an aircraft or another moving vehicle is deeply irresponsible and dangerous. By causing a distraction or, in some cases, short or long-term eye damage, laser attacks can lead to catastrophic incidents. These new and robust measures send a clear message to perpetrators: laser attacks are a crime and serious consequences will follow from committing this offence."

Brian Strutton, general secretary of BALPA, the trade union for air crews, said: "This is good news for transport safety. BALPApilots and other transport workers have raised the growing threat of laser attacks for some time." Enditem