A teenage boy was arrested in Bexley last night after he allegedly aimed a laser pointer at two aircraft, including a police helicopter.
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NSW Police said a green laser pointer beam was allegedly aimed into the flight path of a commercial aircraft that was landing at Sydney Airport at about 7.40pm on Sunday.
The NSW Police helicopter, PolAir, was sent to the scene, but the crew was also targeted by a laser, with one of the officers on board affected.
Officers from St George Police Area Command attended a house in Stoney Creek Road, Bexley, a short time later and arrested a male, 16, who was allegedly using the laser in the backyard.
He was taken to Kogarah police station but was released after being dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
The incident comes just days after NSW Police Force Aviation Command issued a warning about the dangers of aiming laser pointers at aircraft after an increase in strikes recently, including one which left an officer with a temporary vision impairment.
A male senior constable, 41, a tactical flight officer, suffered temporary blurred vision and discomfort after encountering the laser beam.
The command had recorded about a dozen incidents of laser pointers being aimed at their aircraft and other aircraft around Sydney in recent weeks.
Aviation Commander Detective Superintendent Brad Monk said police wanted to remind the community how dangerous laser pointer strikes on aircraft could be.
"At no distance and in no circumstance is it safe to point a laser at aircraft," he said.
"The laser beams can impair the eyesight of those on board and endanger the lives of the crew and the public.
"We also want to encourage more reporting of laser strikes on aircraft as not all incidents are reported to police."
It is an offence to aim a laser pointer at any aircraft or use one in a public place without a reasonable excuse.
Laser pointers with a power level greater than one milliwatt are classified as a prohibited weapon and require a permit through the Firearms Registry, if needed for work or astronomy.
"If you're caught breaking the law, we will find you and you'll be prosecuted," Detective Superintendent Monk said.
"Remember, we have a bird's-eye view from the air and can easily identify where a laser beam is coming from."
