Watch the dangerous moment a police helicopter pilot is targeted with laser over London

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter
-Credit: (Image: DANIEL SORABJI/AFP via Getty Images)


A London police helicopter was ‘persistently’ targeted by lasers in an attack last night (Friday, October 18). Video footage shows the incident taking place as the helicopter flies over London.

The attack took place while the helicopter was carrying out an operation over the capital. The video shows a bright green laser being shone towards the helicopter multiple times.

A spokesperson for NPAS London tweeted on Saturday morning: “Last night we were persistently Lasered while on task. It's extremely dangerous but we can pinpoint your exact location in a matter of seconds.”

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NPAS also confirmed that they caught someone following the laser attacks. Sentences for shining a laser at a police helicopter can vary. In September, a man in Cheshire was sentenced to 12 weeks for ‘shining a laser beam’ towards an aircraft.

Shining a laser at a helicopter is dangerous for a variety of reasons. The laser can compromise the vision of a pilot, making it impossible for them to land safely, perhaps delaying vital healthcare or hindering a police chase.

Apart from that, the laser could also cause permanent damage to the eye of the aircraft’s pilot. Laser pens can readily be bought online for as little as £5.

In 2017 the Laser Misuse Bill brought in much tougher penalties for those using lasers to target transport operators. This meant that they could be jailed for up to five years. The law also removed the £2,500 fine cap for laser misuse crimes.

Got a story? Please get in touch at katherine.gray@reachplc.com

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