AN investigation has been launched after a "reckless" incident saw someone try to distract or blind a Royal Navy helicopter pilot as they flew over Scotland.
Officers say a laser was shone directly at the aircraft, temporarily distracting the flight crew whilst carrying out a vital training exercise over the sea off the west coast of Stevenston in North Ayrshire.
The incident occurred around 11pm on Monday, October 4 when the Royal Navy Merlin -carrying four members of the crew - was hovering at a low altitude.
The laser point was coming from the direction of Stevenston point.
Police Scotland are appealing for witnesses after the chief pilot reported the incident.
Speaking about the incident, PC Mackie of the Three Towns Locality Policing Team said: “Use of a laser pen in this manner is extremely reckless and this incident could have been catastrophic for the aircraft and crew of 4 onboard.
"We would like to remind people that matters such as this are taken very seriously by both Police Scotland and Scottish Courts Service.”
“The pilot noted the laser beam to be coming from the Stevenston Point area, I would urge anyone who may have any information regarding this incident to contact myself via 101, at Saltcoats Police Office, and quoting incident #3910 of October 4, thank you.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here