Police Scotland probe “extremely dangerous and reckless” Inverness airport laser beam attack on incoming aircraft
Police are investigating reports a laser beam was aimed at an aircraft’s cockpit as it approached Inverness Airport.
The “extremely dangerous and reckless” act happened at 3.05 am on Thursday last week.
The public are being asked if they have any information regarding the incident or whether they saw any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the airport around the time of the alleged offence.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We are investigating reports of a laser beam being directed at the cockpit of an aircraft as it approached Inverness Airport on the morning of Thursday 25th January, about 0305 hours.
“If you have any information that could assist enquiries, we would strongly encourage you to contact us quoting incident reference 0311 of 25/01/2024.
“Directing a laser towards aircraft can temporarily blind pilots, and is an extremely dangerous and reckless act.
“If you see any suspicious activity on or around the airport, speak to airport staff or contact the police.”
A spokesman for Highlands and Islands Airports, operators of Inverness Airport, said: “We urge anyone who witnesses a laser being shone at an aircraft to immediately contact Police Scotland. Such a reckless act is a criminal offence and extremely dangerous.”