Arrests as laser targets aircraft


The green laser light was shone at an aircraft coming from Dublin

Two men have been arrested after a laser light was shone at an aircraft coming into land at Cardiff Airport.

The crew of a flight from Dublin reported the incident, suggesting the green light had come from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan on Sunday night.

Police have arrested a 21-year-old-man from Llanrumney in Cardiff on suspicion of endangering the safety of aircraft.

He was also arrested, along with a 22-year-old man from Lisvane, Cardiff, for possessing cannabis.

Both men were taken to Barry Police Station, where they are being questioned.

South Wales Police said the flight crew had reported the laser light to air traffic control as they came into land in Cardiff.

Officers were alerted and searched a car in the Porthkerry Park area of Barry, where they found the 21-year-old man in possession of a laser light pen.

Air Traffic Control reported Sunday's incident to South Wales Police.
The green laser light had been shone "into the vicinity of the aircraft whilst descending" a police spokesman said.

Lasers can often blind an airline pilot at a crucial time in his landing procedure.

A pilot was temporarily blinded by a laser at Cardiff Airport last August.