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UK: Police looking for perpetrator(s) of six aircraft lasing incidents

Thames Valley Police are asking for the public's help in finding a person or persons who aimed a high-powered green laser at civilian and military police aircraft flying over West Berkshire.

In a January 29 2019 appeal, police said they are asking for witnesses of past laser events, as well as to notify police if they become aware of a current laser aimed at aircraft so officers can respond.

The six past incidents of concern are:

  • At 7.30pm on 24 October 2018 when two military Apaches flying together near Enborne were targeted.
  • At 6.45pm on 30 November 2018 a pilot reported a green laser being shone approximately five miles west of Newbury.
  • At 5.45pm on 12 December 2018 a laser was shone at a military Apache helicopter traveling over Marsh Benham
  • At 5.35pm on 12 December 2018 a laser strike took place against a plane in the Welford area
  • At 5.45pm on 8 January 2019 a report was received that a laser was shone at aircraft flying over Newbury
  • At 5.50pm on 9 January 2019 at a civilian helicopter in the vicinity of Newbury Racecourse

A police spokesperson said "We are keeping an open mind as to whether any of the incidents are linked."

From the Thames Valley Police