Call for curbs on sale of laser pens and drones

Concerns grow over dangers posed by illegal use of easily affordable technology

Perth’s police chief is demanding action to control the sale of drones and laser pens to children.

Chief Inspector Ian Scott hit out following a series of incidents in which the devices – which can be bought for as little as £5 online – were put to potentially dangerous use.

Mr Scott is urging parents to highlight the dangers they pose in the run-up to Christmas when they may be given as gifts.

He said a laser pen was shone at a military plane over Perth recently and there have been several attempts to fly drones into Perth Prison.

“Drones and laser pens can cause more damage than people realise,” said Mr Scott.

“Part of the problem is that they are available on the internet for £5 or £10.”

Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said it was alarming to hear there had been an increase in unsupervised drone use and warned laser pens could be “particularly dangerous”.

Perth’s police chief has warned cheap and easy access to potentially dangerous technologies could be putting lives at risk.

Chief Inspector Ian Scott, area commander for Perth and Kinross, said drones and laser pens have the potential to cause huge damage, but they are widely available for anyone to purchase online.

Police were alarmed at a recent incident involving a laser pen being shone at a military aircraft flying above Perth on its way to a base in Northern Ireland.

This was followed by the arrest of a Dundee youth caught shining a laser pen at buses.

There have also been several attempts to fly drones into Perth Prison, with the most audacious taking place in April 2016 when a drone ended up in a neighbouring garden.

It contained a host of contraband, including heroin, cannabis, mobile phones, USB cables, super glue and a screwdriver.

There were also recent incidents of drones flying close to passenger planes at Edinburgh Airport, including one where the drone was within 100 metres of an Airbus A319 during its landing.

Mr Scott is concerned about the dangers of illegal use of drones and laser pens and is calling for stricter controls on their sale.

“Drones and laser pens can cause more damage than people realise,” he said.

“Used in the right way they can be fun and educational but there are also dangers associated with them.

“Laser pens are quite powerful and can cause damage to pilots and the likes of bus drivers.

“We’re appealing to parents to tell their children to use these things responsibly.”

He emphasised the low cost only increases the potential risk.

“Part of the problem is that they are available on the internet for £5 or £10,” he added.

“Laser pens can be used effectively. However, there are dangers associated with them and people have to bear in mind there are aircraft at Perth Airport and also a few microlight aircraft in the skies above Perth.”

John Gore, of Consortiq, which stages drone training courses at Perth Racecourse, said: “We focus on the responsible use of drones.

“The last 12 months has seen a shift with us working more with the emergency services. We work with police offering them training in using drones.

“This teaches officers how drones can be their eye in the sky.”

Picture: PA. Laser pens are quite powerful and can cause damage to the sight of pilots and the likes of bus drivers.